Well last night four of us (myself, Gus, Pepa, Lordes) made a huge salad and pasta with tomato & tuna with fresh bread with tomato and olive oil. There was too much for the four of us, but we did a good job of trying to finish it, especially as they kept trying to force more food my way?! The stories of my eating habits and my rucksack are beginning to spread through Spain. After a pleasant night I slept well, only to be woken by a Spaniard turning the lights on at 5.30am. I didn’t complain, I never do. I got up just before six, had a coffee (and a banana) and set off on the road with Gus.
My plan today was an easy 20km to Logroño and explore the city.
Well the first ten kilometres were not particularly easy. The path avoided a main road by weaving up and down small hills and valleys. Even now the hills still tire me! After the track evened out we entered Viana, a very pretty old town, with a church almost as grand as a cathedral.
From here the walk to Logroño was fairly even, if not a little bland on sights. Logroño itself and La Rioja just before it are very industrialised areas, with big factories covering the landscape and many flat topped hills which to me look man made?!
The weather has been touch and go all day, I did expect rain but it hasn’t come as yet. I’ve been informed by a local it will rain tomorrow?
We arrived in Logroño just after 10.30am (yes we have still walked for 4 hours and I said it was an easy day), we find a market to buy some bread, ham & cheese before walking back to the main hostel to eat and wait for the doors to open.
We were the second here and by noon there were thirty people waiting, but again people queue in the right order, I’m shocked but happy.
Once I’ve showered and refreshed we explore the city properly, most things are now closed until 5pm but we find all the sights, the church’s, the monuments. The street with a string of tapas and wine bars one after another!
I return to my bunk for a siesta. At 5pm I venture out again, I’m still looking for Hitec Magnums, Gus wants a penknife to cut food. We both buy lots of dry fruit when we stumble across it.
Tonight a few of us are going for tapas and a fine glass of Rioja (although I’ll probably just have one before switching to beer, or jäger-bombs, or flatliners, or maybe even a teapot)?!!
I will probably add more later, or in the morning, depending on tonight!
And if anyone reads this that works at Hitec, I’d like a pair sent out to me, I’ll write you all the reviews you need. After all, your boots have covered a distance the crap German ‘Hanwag’ boots could never cover, (without crippling me)…!