Day 9 - 17.2km -Navarette to Najera

Niks morning routine of anti-inflammatory and ankle straps under way we set out from the town of Navarette. It's a weird layout of a town with roads running in big circles up the side of a hill. Our accomodation was a twin room and it was quiet getting ready. The meal and discussion last night was fantastic and we reflected back on good conversation and the addition of some new faces to our pilgrim family.

We are in the La Rioja region of Spain famed for its red soil which is excellent for growing grapes. Vineyards wrapped all around us as we moved forward in the rain, boots clogging in the sticky red mud.

After a short 6km or so we stopped for breakfast and bumped into Penny and Dave, originally from the Midlands but now retired to Tarragona in Spain. Nik calls them the elderly couple despite the fact Dave is only a year older! They are a lovely couple and they also joined us later for lunch and more conversation.

We continued in the red sludge, occasionally stopping for push ups (why??!!). We reached a small stone hut the left of our path. This hut marks the site where Roland of Charlemagne fought the Goliath Ferragut for 3 days before emerging victorious. We sat in Roland's hut and had a little break and were joined by Amy. Amy had joined us for dinner last night. She is a professional cook and has toured the world on small luxury cruise ships and yachts but is currently searching for a new career before she loses all her passion for cooking! Hopefully she finds some inspiration on the Camino.

We arrived in Najera early. This slowing down is not that slow! We found a bocadillo (sandwich) and had a coffee (and maybe just a small beer) then we went to check in.

Hot shower. Heaven.

Little nap? Not so much. We had two Brazilian chaps in our room. And they do not have an indoor voice!

I went out walking and bumped into "the ladies". This is another of the Camino social groups:

Rachel you have already met. Her encyclopedia of pilgrims is expanding!

Amy. Yat-Ling from New York, Gea and Romy from the Nederlands, and Maria from New York.

We had a few drinks and some small snacks then I met Nik and we went for dinner. Tonight's Pilgim Menu of three courses included BBQ meat for the main and a whole bottle of wine between us for 12.50 each. And it was great.

Back to the room now. I hope I snore loud tonight so we can make up for the lost afternoon of nap time .....

Walk slowly pilgrims. See what is around you.