The view looking south from one of the windows at the refuge in “Navarrette”

Route segment: 9

Wednesday 4th October 2000

The meal I had last night did not agree with me, it might have been sunstroke as yesterday was too hot a day for me. I have
lost the lot. Olga sympathises and I try yoghurt for breakfast. Maybe not the wisest choice. I should have read a book about dealing with an upset stomch on the Camino! They are not quite ready yet and I start off on my own. There is
a bar open and because this is a city they give me strange looks when I walk in.

After a coffee I continue and spot Carlos and Olga walking on the opposite side of the road. I follow them for a while but they are fast walkers and I am starting to have some sort of problem developing with my left leg. We walk past a natural lake “Pantano De La Grajera” which I take to be a reservoir.

Looking back to one of the lakes at “Logroño”

It is developing into another really hot day and the sun cream I bought yesterday is going to prove necessary. After the lake
I quickly lose sight of the others and I am alone with my thoughts again.

Today’s journey is only 21Km and it does not take long to get to “Navarette“. I spot a bar and of course Olga and the others are sitting outside in the shade. This seems like a good place to stop to let the sun go down a bit. They decide to go on to “Nájera” but I am having problems with the leg and still annoyed with myself. It is only 14.00 and the refuge does not open until 15.00 so I havea few more coffees and a beer until then. The refuge here is very modern and the view out of the window is interesting:-

The refuge in “Navarrette”

Eventually the French girls arrive and I feel more at home. Up till now the people arriving at the refuge have been strangers.
That evening the keeper of the refuge does a blessing for the pilgrims. I am not sure that she has the ecclesiastical authority to do this but it is a pleasant experience anyway. Part of the blessing is holding hands with the person either side of you and I hold hands with Margaux for 10 minutes or so, which is very nice indeed.

Part of the blessing is based on singing and the woman has a good voice. After the blessing everyone gives everyone else a big hug. I give Margaux and Ophelia a big hug each which is nice. The woman running the refuge will turn up again later in “Burgos” and seems to rather like giving people hugs.