I slept like a log in my comfy bed and didn’t get out of Pamplona until noon.

That was OK, though, since New Yorkers J&T and I were planning to stop in Zariquiegui, at 10 km,  saving the hard  hike up to Alto del Perdon and the harder hike down, until tomorrow morning when we’d be fresh. That was the idea.

In Zariquiegui, we were informed that there was an “involuntary problem” and they were closed tonight. Therefore we’d have to push on, only 6 more km,  but one of the dreaded downhill stretches. It was raining light and this hill is famous for mud.

It turned out to be not too bad

It was one of those challenges that makes the Camino interesting. Now we are in a fabulous place that otherwise we’d miss – Albergue Camino del Perdon in Uterga. The hospitalera’s mother and aunt (2 energetic white haired women)  are starting the Camino tomorrow from here, so I have told them I look forward to meeting up with them! This place is friendly, clean and helpful to pilgrims.

Everything a pilgrim might need