La Reina in Spaina is nowhera on la Plana (updated)

Puente La Reina - Bridge of the Queen

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Ok, the first time this didn´t work so fingers crossed this time!

I was a bit late leaving Pamplona as I had to wait for the Post Office or Corerros to open just so I could post some postcards. They were already stamped but there are that few postboxes around, the local policeman said it was quicker to wait the 15mins for the Post Office to open than to walk to the nearest post box!

So after that ordeal I tried to get out of Pamplona which for the most part was pretty straight forward except there is a new sub-division that they´re building and the signs aren´t all there and the book isn´t THAT up to date. So a few local workers had a laugh and told me to go the wrong way (See Mum, it´s not always my fault!)but then I was then corrected by another more helpful worker.

One of the Scallop Shells you follow

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It´s easy for locals, or anyone for that matter, to see who is doing the Camino de Santiago as we all have Scallop shells either on us or on our packs. It´s the symbol of the walk and dates back to the three pilgrimages that I mentioned in my introduction to this walk. Jerusalem was to get palms, Rome was to get Holy Water and Santiago was to get a Galician Scallop shell, as used in baptisms. I know it defeats the purpose receiving it at the start but it´s just the way it is.

So I hiked up to the top and had lunch under the 40 wind turbines that power the city of Pamplona. The hike down the other side of the hill is rather steep and I vowed to buy some trekking poles when the opportunity next presented itself.

I passed through a few towns passing many people and finally made my way to Puente la Reina or The Bridge of the Queen as it was commissioned back in the 11 century by Queen Urraca. It´s a 6 span bridge that basically remains unchange today. Also apparently the most scenic on the Camino.

The Streets of Puente La Reina

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Checked into hostel and ran into 2 people I hadn´t seen since the 1st day!

Wandered around and enjoyed a local beer then found some trekking poles!!! They´re crap but as far as crap trekking poles go, they´re not bad. I am putting some doubt on the line " Tested on mountains of the world" claim on the side of them though.

Met a guy from Ireland which was great to hear someone talk and understand them (sorta)

Decided, after buying poles, that I would make my own tea and had some good ol´Hamburgers in Bread! Creature comforts!