This morning was another early start with the Spanish pilgrims deciding that the wake up time was 5:30am. I eventually arose at 6:00 and managed to be on the road by 6:30 after a breakfast of fruit cake and warm pineapple juice.
Kate (our resident invalid) decided that she would travel to Monreal by bus and add to her growing collection of Spanish bus and train tickets. She hopes to be able to frame them when she arrives home in Australia.
Over the past few days I have wondered why the Spanish pilgrims always manage to arrive at the Albergue before myself. Today I discovered that they use the bus system to their advantage and reduce a 27km stage to about 13km
The walk today was hard work through the centre 10km section where the way was either a stony goat track or a wider track with many water filled pot holes. It was a miracle that I was able to arrive in Monreal with dry feet and without a twisted ankle
Today we end our Camino Aragones, having walked 137km. Time restraints and train times have prevented walking the last 30km into Puente la Reina. Notwithstanding we have walked the best of this Camino. Tomorrow we visit Pamplona. It will be interesting to see how fast Kate can run when confronted with a heard of wild bulls.
You both have completed an extraordinary feat, that few people undertake. The path was uneven, rocky, muddy and tough tough tough. I hope you pocketed some extra fruit-cake to munch. You don't mention what you ate for lunch every day—nor having your "pilgrim passports" stamped, though I assume you did. You are have earned bragging rights, and we await the stamp-photos here! I see that all roads lead to El Romeral and Sangüesa; well, contrary roads, at least. Enjoy Pamplona.
"Ask not for whom the (cow-)bell tolls, it tolls for thee."