Day 5 Pamlplona to Uterga (March 23)

When we got just out of Pamplona by the university we must have missed the Camino arrow, so we were standing there looking like we were lost I suppose because an elderly gentleman approached us and in Spanish told us where the path was and walked with us until he had to turn off. He was our Camino angel that day. The trail out of Pamplona was HOT and rocky. Aside from a little rain when we left Roncevalles, we have been very blessed with good weather. But..there was not a bit of shade and really no where to sit and rest. We paused for a drink and all we could hear were the bees buzzing and birds singing.

We stopped in Cizur Minor for lunch and had a most delicious ensalada mixta sandwiched between 2 Spanish tortillas. Next stage of the walk was a long, slow incline. Then a long slow decline. The trail on the decline was covered with small rocks making it very difficult on the feet and knees. The last mile or so into Uterga was flat and wide but the surface was hard. This day was not an easy day. When we arrived a few pilgrims we had met previously were there; the young British woman, the Brazilian father/daughter, and an Asian girl. After showering, washing clothes and stretching we went downstairs to get a drink and write in the journal. Lo and behold in comes Dieter! We all agreed it was a hard walk today. The albergue (Camino del Perdon) was great. Its the first place we stayed in with its own cafe. There are a couple of computers on the 2nd floor in a living room area.