May Day! May Day!

Day 9 - Logrono to Najera: 29 km It was exceptionally beautiful today. First we exited a city, then wandered around a park and lake. The Camino never takes the shortest way, and the city fathers like you to see what they are most proud of, so we always wander past the church, and any other remarkable monuments. So it took a while to our first break. We had lunch on a bench on the Street of Grandmothers in Ventosa, and then the slog began. We had already done 19 km, and there were 11 left, and it was 1:30. Wendy and I agreed on our destination, and I began to walk with Debbie and Mark, a great American couple who are big hikers. I kept up with them and heard about all the great trips they had done, and how they met. I have found it best for me to walk the last stretch with someone who keeps me on pace, and I left Wendy behind. At 4:30 I arrived at the albergue where Mike volunteered in Najera, and got the last bed. It is May Day here, and a national holiday, so the town is full, and a lot of people book ahead. I pleaded for Wendy, and they promised her a place on a mat on the floor. And then a Camino angel, a Canadian named Lisa, said she would take the mat, and sleep in the dining area, as she is a little claustrophobic, and there are 90 bunks in the dorm. I claimed my bed, and walked back to find Wendy, as the signage was not too good, and there she was. So we are all settled, about to go for dinner and an early bed. Maybe not so far tomorrow! http://www.caminodesantiago.me/wp-content/uploads/Albergue-Municipal-in-Najera.png I tried to load the picture, but above is a link to a picture of the dorm. I am having trouble putting pictures on the blog, but they are loading on Facebook - I´ll keep trying.