Another big day according to the programme, but Julie and I not intending to do the full 30 km, just take it as it comes.
We set out about 8:10, after watching the running of the bulls in Pamplona again. A few guys taken away on stretchers this time!
We had a one hour, 5 km, walk along the esplanade to El Puntal at the end of the isthmus...
...where we caught a barge across to Santona.
From there it was a walk alongside the road, passing a huge gaol and a wetland, to Berria Beach. This seemed to be surf school mania - if you think Manly is bad, this is much worse. I counted 4 groups of this size along the beach.
The headland to the left was our first obstacle. It is called El Brusco and rises and falls quite sharply to nearly 300 ft. The track was tough going for those with short legs...
...but there were good views....both back over Berria and Santona...
...and forward to Playa de Trengandin and Noja.
Again a long beach walk...
...backpacks and bikinis...
We arrived in Noja about 12:30, and it was cerveza a all round..
...our go to beer in this region being Mahou.
It was now very hot in the sun, and Julie's feet weren't in good shape. We had 16 km to go to Guemes, not a realistic prospect for her. With no buses available, we took a taxi to the road below the claimed best albergue experience on the Camino del Norte, Father Ernesto's, La Cabana del Abuelo Peuto (his grandfathers house).
This is quite an operation. Way out on its own, catering for around 70 pelegrinos a night, including meals, and all on a donation basis. We were given a 4 bed ensuite room out the back.
The place seemingly had everything, a library, big lounge area, communal dining area, washing facilities, and a lovely chapel
At 7:30 we gathered to hear a talk about the albergue and the camino by Father Ernesto. There were about 70 people staying from 13 different countries. One of the big challenges they are facing is the rapid rise in people doing the walk.
After that it was all downstairs for dinner, with unlimited food, wine and bread.
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