Day 5 May 6

​leaving Puenta La Reina this morningthe original Olive Gardenon the Medieval bridge as we left townworking down the kms to Santiago beautiful scenery

Day 5 in the rear view mirror

Incredible day with manageable hills and beautiful scenery 

Towns are impeccably maintained and all very friendly

Weather has cooperated 100% thus far with today being the clearest

Our walk to Estella was 22km which took from 7:45an to 2:30pm having several rests along the way

Lots of pilgrims- more than I thought at this early stage and quite a few having issues starting to develop - one’s feet and joints take a pounding - so daily maintenance is critical 

The flowers and farm gardens are 6-8 weeks ahead of NB

Canola crops are in full bloom - yellow fields all over

The olive groves and vineyards are very well managed

Lots of familiar faces as we all have varied paces walking the Camino

We will start out in the morning on another 22km walk to Los Arcos

Then we take on two days of 28km walks

No doubt we are staring to season up. And as the guide book states there will be nothing like our first day as we walked up over the Pyrenees- 10 hrs with a steady 30 deg incline or greater followed by a 2 he descent. We only have met 1 who did this as all others broke it up into two days or took the lower route which is less aggressive 

It is history and we have the memories and the physical reminders of this effort - badge of honour 

Our team of five now are all going well - enjoying each other’s company

Today May 6 is my grandson James’ 2nd birthday and so happens to be my Camino partner the Ven Deborah Kraft’s 20th anniversary to the Priesthood - how special is that to celebrate this evening at dinner.

Much better internet for doing the blog

Till tomorrow - cheers

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