Day 7 - Los Arcos to Logrono (30 km)

Yet another great walking day - 30 km plus a few extra, but I'll get to that later. Didn't seem as hot today, the path was kinder, some welcome cloud cover this morning and a gentle breeze this afternoon.

I'm sitting in the shade on a bench in a beautiful and peaceful park beside the river in this university town in the wine region. Logrono is much larger than Los Arcos, but charming nonetheless. I would have liked to have walked another 5 km today, but the next and smaller town is 12.5 km and that's too far.

I walked the last 5 km with three men from Pamplona who told me they often walk a few stages of The Camino on the weekend. They also told me that they had a hard time finding a hotel for the night when booking on the net a few days ago. So, with that thought in mind, on arrival I headed straight to the main pilgrims' Albergue. I was disappointed to find that it's huge, with dorm rooms of 36 beds. Lordy! But I was happy to pay 7 euros to secure a bed (let's face it, I spend more than that on 2 coffees each day) and then stroll around the city looking for a small hostal where I might have my own room or at least a dorm of only 6 or 8! That's how I came to walk an extra few kms on top of the 30 I'd already done.

After about an hour, still carrying my pack with me and with no success finding a room - any room, as by this time I would have happily slapped down the visa card and hang the expense - I came across another pilgrim about my age, doing the same thing. We'd both hedged our bets by booking into the Albergue, just in case. We laughed at our predicament, exchanged profound words about acceptance and being thankful we were not going to be on the streets, and headed back to the Albergue together. After a shower, things look better as they usually do and I'm looking forward to having dinner tonight with my new found friend, Chris from west coast of Canada. I'm reminded yet again that The Camino takes care of us and finds the way!

So one week along my way, and here are just some of the things I've learned:

1. A Spanish omelette with potato (they call them tortillas) is the ultimate hikers' food, protein and carbs. It's become an addiction.

2. Heaven is finding a small shop in a tiny village at the end of a long day - that sells Magnum ice cream. I treat myself at every opportunity.

3. You can use 30+ lip balm on your face and hands to great effect, though I do plan to head to the dermatologist on my return to get rid of my new sun (age) spots. Being a pilgrim doesn't mean losing all notions of vanity, at least not this pilgrim.

4. There's virtually no discernible difference to my hair whether I shampoo and condition it or just stick my head under running water - in fact I think it looks more stylish when I've done neither for a day or two.

5. It's official that I cannot be trusted to be moderate with chocolate under any circumstances. Even when it's the only thing in my pack that resembles food and the next town is 10 km away, the block (just a small one) is gone in less than 10 minutes.

Of course these are not the important lessons, but good to know.

A couple of thank yous before I sign off. Ongoing thanks and gratitude to Pat for caring for Max and Zoe, and to those of you who have been in touch with her already while she's holidaying at 106. Thanks to Audrey for your lovely email received this morning, filled with encouraging words. Thanks to Allan for sending me a text to let me know that Geelong won the Grand Final, because it had been playing on my mind! Mike and Bev, if you are reading this, hope you and the girls have had a wonderful time in Rome and Venice - on to Paris. Love to all family and friends and hope everything's going well for you.

A couple of snaps today. I came across the Camino fountain / pool in the park on the way in to Logrono. Couldn't resist taking off my shoes and socks and dangling my hot, tired feet. A German man named Bert thought it a great idea so stopped to do the same and offered to take a photo. And I returned the favour.

Hasta Mañana. J x