Day 3 - On the Road to Pamplona

Dave drinks his cereal bowl just like I do. 

Scary how many things we have in common. 

(Mike)

We ran into some cute girls from Australia.

They were all so darling. 

(Mike)

The Aussie girls jumped and clicked their feet! 

We are too sore to bend down and tie our boots.

(Mike)

Mike, looking down the loooooong road ahead.

More flat land and small, country farms. Very pretty.

It rained really hard for the first hour, then sunny.

Gorgeous clouds. (Mike)

That is Dave, always ahead of me.

He is just a little faster. (Mike)

Stopped for lunch (icy drinks and leftover rolls from breakfast).

Met a cute group from Vanderbilt that looked like babies.

(Mike)

Mike, pointing out the Spanish flora and leading the way. (Dave)

Small church offered a nice, cool respite from the day.

(Mike)

"Anyone seen a yellow arrow for the Camino? I think I'm lost."

(Dave, speaking for Mike)

Getting on to Pamplona. 

We covered 12.3 miles before we were through.

(Mike)

Didi, from yesterday's story, with his friend's grandchild.

(Mike)

Ran into somebody that actually walks a little slower than I do.

(Mike)

Yuck. (Sue)

Dave, on the bridge at Pamplona; we're a little tired. (Mike)

Mike, taking a load off on a bridge entering Pamplona. 

Today we walked  6 1/2 hours. (Dave)

I think they will enjoy their day of rest tomorrow! (Sue)

As we enter the old fort of Pamplona, we can see the end

of today's journey, which went up 1280 feet and down 1570.

(Mike)

Nice, stone-paved streets of Old Town.

The old Plaza del Castillo, the heart of the city.

Where I plan on spending the next two nights.

Shower is fantastic, times 100. (Mike)

And here is the Aussie Camino chant video,

 for your viewing pleasure.

One quick story from Dave:

At the small church pictured below on the Camino, we stopped to take part in a sweet tradition. I put all the names inscribed on the rocks I'm carrying for my loved ones on a paper sticker, with the words, "God bless." Mike wrote, "Max, if we are worthy, we will be with you again." 

If you look at the second picture below, just above Christ's left hand in the picture, you will see Mike's sticker for little Max...high up, so it stays there longer. 

 

Your sacred gift to us is this:
a clear view of forever.
The path to you glows straight and true.
One day, we’ll be together.

In that great day, our eager arms
will reach no more in vain.
God’s work fulfilled, our longing stilled,
we’ll hold you once again.

∞§∞

And what a happy day that will be! (Sue)

Click below to support mental health services

and read more about the cause Mike and Dave 

are supporting with their walk.