28 April Cizur Menor to Puente La Reina

The weather forecast called for rain and possible snow showers. I did not have good thoughts when I went to bed last night thinking about climbing the 300 meters (over 950 feet) straight up to the Alto del Perdon in rain and wind. St James must have been listening to my thoughts as the clouds disappeared and the moon shined as we awaken at 6 AM to begin our days journey.

We hurried around and departed Cizur Menor by 7 AM and headed towards the monumento peregrino with a purpose in our step, beat the rain. The climb was somewhere between comfortable and painful but the top was always insight. We stopped several times to look at the valley below to take in the beauty of the moment. The closer we stepped towards the top the harder the wind blew and the colder the air felt on your aching legs. The effort was rewarded when we made the crest of the mountain and was able to see the valley's below. Magnificent is all I can say. I guess that is not true, it was very cold and windy on top, after a few kodak moments we headed down the other side to Uterga to look for a hot cup of coffee and some nourishment.

My walking partners today were Mick Young from Australia, Desire Clark from South Africa and Abby Betherd from Quebec , Canada. Mick is retired Navy, Desire is business school teacher and wife of Doctor Clark and Abby does financial services and unwed mother counseling. They all are excellent walkers so this old man had to try and keep up. We made Eunate Church in time for Mass. This 12th century church was simple but elegant. The Eunate was also a burial place for Pilgrims who succumbed to the grueling physical hardships along the route.

The yellow fields of canola and winter wheat have turned the early spring country side in to a very colorful painting. I would like to see the area in two months when all the crops are in full bloom.

I asked Abby for the thought of the day for my 5th grade team. She said she would have to think about that request. Some ten miles later she joined me and said I have my thought. Abby is a cancer survivor. When she was 14 years old she had a tumor on her right jaw bone. They had to use her femur to replace the bone, consequently her right leg is shorter than her left. The entire treatment was successful. She graduated from college two years ago, with no jobs available she had to move back home with her mother and father. She said it was one of the most difficult moves of her life. She had to give up her dog and privacy as a young adult. One year after moving home her father suddenly passed away, he was 52, sudden stroke. At the same time she was offered her current job. She now feels fortunate that she got to spend the year with her father. Her message to the class is that you have to understand that "you do not always get what you want "..but with faith and hard work you will have a good life. Abby is walking the Camino with her mother.

Tomorrow we are off to Estella. Less hills to climb.... Total distance completed 95km. /696km to Santiago