Day Six

Hotel du Commerce in Naverrenx
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Day 6, May 23

Navarrenx to St. Palais

Distance: 26km

837km to Santiago, 114km from start

Town sign in French and Basque
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I don’t know how you plan to spend your anniversary, but Marie and I spent much of our 26^th on the longest stage yet. Excellent planning on my part.

If hills are Maries’ Kryptonite, distance seems to be mine. The first two-thirds were in the normal rolling hills and countryside but the last 8km were on a heavily traveled road that seemed to stretch out forever . . it beat the heck out of me.

Despite the slog, it was interesting thing that many cars in the area sported the Basque flag and now almost all the town signs, ads, and posters are dual language. Also, saw five guys in berets, more than doubling our cumulative total. Wasn’t enough to take my mind off the death march, but something anyway.

Limped into St. Palais mid-afternoon. Repaired the body with cold hops-based beverages, did laundry, used the hotel's wireless (a first so far), got our Credencias stamped at the tourist office, and enjoyed a nice dinner.

Villages: Navarrenx, Castetnau-Camblong, Cherbeys, Lichos, Aroue, Etcharry, Domezain-Berraute, Behaquw-Lapiste, St. Palais

# Men in Berets: 9 (cum)