Zubiri to Cizur Menor

We were up and out the door by 8 am after a quick protein drink and a yogurt. 5 kilos later at Larrasona we had a cafe and a Tort de Santiago which was very good. There was a slight hill to climb from Zubiri to Larrasona through an industrial area. Off again after coffee to Pamplona with no real lunch just gorp, some cheese and our caffeine. The trail went through pine forests, quarry areas, tree-lined river banks and lovely old medieval towns. Crossing the medieval bridge into Pamplona with the monastery next to it was very pretty. It is also an albergue. We walked another kilo into the city before we could find a way to get a taxi to take us to the outskirts of Pamplona to catch the Camino on the other side. When we were in the Pamplona earlier, we had done parts of the camino and the trail could get a little difficult to follow in the newer area.

From where our 8 € taxi dropped us off, we walked on a sidewalk along the highway. We did make it in time to check in to the Maribel Roncal family private Alberque which costs 8 €s each. The proprietress is very helpful and also tries to put language groups together. There is a couple from Washington state here, and a couple from Wellington NZ. About 75 % of the guests tonight are 55 and above. The bathrooms and showers are the only sex segregated places. There is an internet, kitchen, washing machine. The bikers are the younger ones; however, we did get passed by an older group that, based on their same reflective vests, were part of a group.

Another alberque here is a monastery from the knights of the Order of Malta which has the Maltese cross flag flying. We went and looked at it and will try and stay in one later in the Camino. This assumes we can sleep tonight! Last night David didn't get much sleep because of the church bells ringing every 1/2 hour.