Camino del Norte - Day 3 - Deba to Markina - 23 km

With milder weather (24 deg max) predicted it was a more relaxed start from Deba. The night at the albergue was better than expected, despite a twelve bed room, we were all refreshed in the morning.

We even had time for breakfast.

We also Had a quick look at the main church, with its amazing trepanium

..and unique stone carving of Christ and the apostles

As usual it was a steep climb out of Deba, through farmland, and rather cute haystacks

The tourist office had given us a detailed map of the way out. We weren't sure why but it became apparent on our walk out as someone had sprayed out the way markings with black paint. Interestingly  though, the friends of the camino had been back.

After the climb the early walking was very pleasant.

Then we broke out into Basque farmland, with each farmhouse having it's well tended veggie garden

We then went back into a forest zone, well shaded, but stoneynin parts

We came across this beautifully carved monument and thought it something to do with the ETA freedom movement, but Google was adept at translating Basque, and it says - Bernabe free as the birds and the winds in the mountains.

More farmland

..and small villages, with lots of hydrangeas in bloom

...and we even had time to stop and smell the flowers.

At one stage we went through a forest harvesting area, terrible land damage

..but we returned to the farmlands again during the descent in Markina-Xemein

On entering Markina we came across the unique Santa Maria church with an altar of three balanced rocks

We stayed at a private albergue, Augustos

..who even did our washing for us.

After some R&R we headed into the old town

We started the evening with drinks and pintxos in the main plaza

Yes they are baby eels in the bottom left.

Then we moved on to the recommended pelegrinos menu at Vega Restaurant. This was a time- warp sort of place, but with a lovely lady owner and with so much food we felt guilty about paying only 10 € each for 3 courses, plus bread and wine ( 2 bottles)

It was a salad that would stop a horse, fed the 4 of us even thou the others had their own first courses.

Then Basque fish and chips for Bob, which was the local bacalao, or cod, plus chips, incredible.

All in all, quite a day!