Day 7 - Wednesday May 14th

Jo decided not to walk today as her back aches were still quite painful when she got up this morning. She decided that caution was the better part of valour and she didn't want to jeopardise her chance of completing the rest of the walk. She spent the day at Estella with another walker who was suffering from knee problems. They then caught the bus to Los Aros at the end of the afternoon and met up with Ann again. They reported that it was a much better refugio here.

This meant that Ann continued onto Los Arcos with the rest of the group: a distance of just over 13 miles for the day. Ann said that the walking was better today, more rural and less hilly with fields of corn and other crops. the path was also slightly less stoney so it was easier going all round. The weather was sunny this morning but it rained again during the afternoon.

Jo had another massage in Los Arcos from the Red Cross, both back and legs and Ann took the same opportunity. Interestingly enough the masseur told Jo that she wasn't drinking enough water and that that was a part of her problem. Jo is planing to walk tomorrow and also to carry her pack as she needs to take water, rainwear etc and once that is loaded up the rest of the equipment doesn't weigh much. She has had another sort through her gear and is leaving her pyjamas, bowl and a blouse behind.

Jo reports that they are settling into the refugio life. Lights go out early in the evening and come on again about 6.30 in the mornign when everyone gets up, climbs onto their clothes and sets off. Jo nd Ann are having a banana and drink before doing a few kilometers and then stopping for breakfast at a bar of cafe. ann says she is managing but often feels hungry. Although they are sleeping better many of the dormitories are large and this means that it is quite noise throughout the night.

They met and englishman today who has walked the camino three times and now has a caravan which he sets up along the way and serves refreshments to walkers.

Planning to walk the 17.5 miles to Logrono tomorrow.

84 miles completed - 402 miles to go