Day 7: Cirauqui to Estella (15km)

Today we only attempted to walk 15km to Estella to give Noni's poor knee a bit of a break. Amazingly though, we woke up to find that this was the first day we didn't have any residual muscle pain- PROGRESS!

After having to climb into the town the day before, we found ourselves going downhill for the main part of the morning.

The scenery was, as usual, stunning.

But the path was not. 

Poor Noni. 

As cool as it was to be able to say we were walking along an ancient Roman road, the steepness and the rockiness was hell on her leg. All the ibuprofen in the world couldn't help her there.

If I can suggest one thing about walking to Estella it's this:

DON'T.

Why? Because the last couple of kilometres into town are past a sewerage works. Thanks for taking us through the scenic routes, St James. If I was ever crazy enough to contemplate doing this walk again, I would take a bus into Estella.

Upon arrival in town we walked past several gorgeous churches and monasteries. Apparently this walk through the town is a very traditional part of the pilgrimage, and many pilgrim-dedicated stores have sprung up to accomodate. 

We passed this pilgrim who was drawing the church. We've passed him several times in various locations now doing the same thing, and I think it's such a great way for him to record his trip. Talented people make me jealous. Ugh.

Estella ended up being a nice little break- we stayed in a double room in a pension that night, and my god did we enjoy the luxury. No old men snoring through the night, rummaging through plastic bags at all hours! No attempting to get dressed in unisex, steamy bathrooms in teeny tiny, wet cubicles after a shower. It was bliss. We basically only left the room for patatas bravas- which we obviously had 'to go' and ate in our beds. Naturally.