Day 14 Azofra to Grannon

Km walked 22.4 miles-13.4.
A good day, walked very far ( for us ) today. But a good day all in all. Cloudy, and cool. Walked past a golf course today and also along  lots of mud. Settled I at the bar, and heading to church. Going for a shorter day tomorrow. Today I am tired, and wondering why I am doing this. Except for my bad feet, feeling good.

Day 13 Ventosa to Azofra

Km walked about 17.4 miles about 10.4. Elevation about 200 meters 600 feet.
Today started out really well, sunny and chilly, great walking weather. I decided to wear my tennis shoes to give my toe a break. It worked out well, until it started pouring. We even got hailed on. Yikes. We didn't walk as far as we had wanted to but we did pretty well.
Can't complain. I'm happy, feeling strong, hills are getting to be no problem. Only problem that is is the weather, it's supposed to snow in Burgos over the next couple of days. Hope this isn't true, cause we should be there by Tuesday.
Below are a few pics of dinner last night, we ate with some Brits. One looked just like Dustin Hoffman.  Pretty funny. We all were in the same bunk bed room of 10 people. I have not slept badly, considering.
Attached are some pics from last night and today. I have been reduced to wearing socks with flip flops.. Not great styling going on here, but we are having fun.

Day 12 Lograno to Ventosa

Kilometers walked 21.5 miles 13. Elevation climbed 200 meters, about 600 feet.

Last night in logrono, several of us had a meal together, and then I went to mass at 7:30.
I feel that if I happen to be in a place where mass is offered, I want to go, cause I never know when I'll be passing a church, and at what time, so if the timing is right, I want to go. The churches here are all fantastically beautiful, all of the seem to have been built between 900 and 1400. All of the stone is so beautifully set, and the statues are wonderful, and so much gold inlay.
Good day today after the rest day yesterday. My left foot continues to be a problem, especially my left small toe. I had a blister, and now it is macerated, and is rubbing, whenever I walk. I took the insole out of my shoe to give it more room and tomorrow, I am going to duct tape it to the rest of my foot, all the way across to give it support. If any of you have suggestions, please Facebook them to me.
The weather is cold, and I have on 4 shirts. Burgos, where I am headed may have snow. The Spanish people are very upset with all of this cold weather. My raincoat is working well, keeping me warm when I walk. I have on croc flip flops on now, though to give my feet some air, and hopefully some healing.
Otherwise, I am feeling fine, no other physical problems and I am happy to be walking toward Santiago, getting closer each day.
Below are some pics of the church in lograno

The pictures of the cafe in Navarette we stopped for coffee in had really cool guitars, and bathroom door and sink. And here I am dorkily sitting with a cup of coffee con leche.. A boosting shot of caffeine to keep me walking. Glad we finished well today. We started at 7 and were done by 1. Not bad.

Day 11 rest day in Logrono

Miles walked, 0. But legs and feet are feeling better. Bought some more socks. Dry socks , I am learning, and really have always known are so important. Wet clothing macerates the skin, causing blisters and skin breakdown. Even though I have been trying to change socks midday, the weather has become warm and with sweating, you have to be careful.
I lost my bad left foot toenail last night, all I can say is GROSS ! Doesn't hurt a bit though.
Doesn't hurt, and this all stems from being wet about a week ago. We have had a bit of rain, probably 3 days, and it make things so much harder.

Also bought some voltarin cream for muscle aches, everyone here swears by it, we shall see. I am in no pain at present, but my legs were aching last night. Elevated them on a pillow and that helped, I don't want to take too much ibuprofen. Bad for the tummy. It is called brufin here.
Looked at pedometers and found one for 20 euros. I didn't buy it. But considering. Control issues.
Problem is- directions are in Spanish.
Not much else going on, I'm going to go to bed early, so we can get an early start.
Below is a picture from our room. This albuergue is a converted hotel albuergue para peregrines, and it's quite nice. Jasmine  and I are splitting a room, 20 euros each for a private room with a balcony.

Day 10 Torres del Rio to Lograno

Kilometers traveled 22- approximately 13.2 miles. Elevation change 250 meters, 750 feet up and then down. - hard again on the toes, although the path was good, no mud.

I think I am just tired, today was a good, long, but hard day. My left small toe developed a blister, a small one on the inside of the toe and I think I'm going to lose 2 toenails, on on my left and one on my right foot. None of them are painful, but my feet calves, and knees feel sore today. Ibuprofen is my friend.
We've decided to take a rest day tomorrow, rain is in the forecast, and the albuergue we are in is nice, although the wireless comes and goes. We are in Logrono, a fairly large city, it has a university, and has beautiful parks. It will give us all a little time to heal and regroup. I have taken no rest days yet, so I am due.
The weather is warm not too hot though. The path was good, no mud, so the walking wasn't bad.
I saw a beautiful church in the town of Viana, and I have pictures of it. I lit a candle for my dad while there, and spent some time in prayer there.
In my really tired afternoon, a pretty butterfly led me down the path, and it was just so neat. I imagined it to be my loved ones who are gone, leading me. I was especially thinking of my brother Bill who died many years ago today. Tired, but blessed hallucinations!
Not much else for today. Here are pix of my traveling friends at dinner last night, Alex and Anna, and Yasmine, from the United Kingdom.
Til tomorrow all!

Day 9 Villa Mayor de Monjardin to Torres del Rio

Km walked 19.5 today, about 11.7 miles -- elevation negligible.

Today was a bright sunny day. Warm.. But good for this Florida girl, who likes warm. When I started out this morning, I had on 4 layers, and got down to 2 shirts. Using sunscreen. Things are going well, feet are better. No pain today. I have become very conscious of stretching well, and really paying attention to what is hurting and stretching accordingly. Things are well, I walked today with friends from Portugal, pictured below, and a woman from South Africa, Jasmine- yaz--, who is about my age, and we seem similar in our strength of walking.
Below are pix of the terrain, which is changing, and of the harvesting of white asparagus, very popular here. They keep it covered so that the sun can't reach it to change it green.
Problem of the day- my pedometer stopped working, and I found a tobacco shop, kind of like the all purpose store, and had the battery replaced. Cost 4 euros, and it still doesn't work. I guess it's a sign from God to quit trying to be in control, and just go with the flow. I am so task driven, making lists all day, and I take this as a sign to just relax.
Not much else to report, it's been a delightful flat day, still only making about 2 mph, with my 15 pound pack, but all is well. It is supposed to rain tomorrow, so will see  how things go.

Day 8 Villatuerta to Villamayor de Monjardin

Kilometers traveled 13.1 Approximately 7 miles. Elevation climb, approximately 350 meters, 1000 feet.

Hi everyone, I would just like to thank you all for your words of support. They have been great to read, and every comment on my Facebook and in my emails make me smile with joy. This morning, I decided to make it a shorter day, not truly a rest day, but a shorter day overall. I am feeling fine, although my feet could use the rest they feel sore over all, and today, my right big toenail is looking bruised.
So this morning, I left Villatuerta just before 8. I went to bed at 8:30 last night and slept until 7.
When I reached the town of Estella, I walked into town  just in time for 9 am mass. The church was beautiful, and I received communion, and lit a candle, in honor of my 3 wonderful children.

I had a pretty big climb today, but it was mostly on a 6 foot wide gravel track, with no mud, which made my day much easier than expected. I met up with a woman who I met at the beginning of the trek from Dubai. It's great how you keep running into people over and over again.
Things are going well over all, I am tired today, and I'm considering doing a shorter day tomorrow, although rain is in the forecast for midweek...... I am in a really nice hostel as I write this, which has wifi and a hot shower.
Below are some pictures of my hostel last night, the paella the alburgue owners cooked for dinner last night, the church this morning, and the stairs I had to climb to get into the church this morning, I was on a mission to make it to mass! The mass was beautiful, even though I didnt understand the homily, and i lit a candle for my children, whom i love and am missing talking to today...
That's all for today! Happy Mothers Day, all of you moms out there, I am missing mine today, and I dedicate my walk today to my mom.