One of my favorite things about walking the Camino de Santiago are all the friendly people we encounter each day. We have been starting our walks between 8am and 8:30am. At that time, locals are out on their morning walks. They generally greet us with a friendly “Buen Camino,” wishing is a Good journey on our Camino.

Locals also place blessings, religious artifacts and markers to lead you the correct way on the trail. Sometimes you have to pay more attention than others,  but if you keep a careful eye, we keep saying “the Camino will provide.”

Today was our longest walk,  so far. We walked 18.2 miles on mostly wide, country roads deep in wine country. We are now out of Navarre and into the Najera region of Spain. Wine vineyards and wineries are everywhere.

We encountered our first rain today, although it was fairly mild. We donned our rain jacjets and waterproof overpants for the final 2 of 9 hours.

We stopped in a beautiful village called  Navarette. Our moments there were delightful. The gorgeous cathedral in town was open, something we haven’t seen much on this trek. We entered as the music of Gregorian chanters filled the cathedral.

Since today’s walk was on the long side,  we stopped for a hot cooked lunch in a small village on the way. The food and service were excellent and we were soon back on the Camino.

We saw only a few of people we recognized, including Bob aka Paul and the French couple that doesn’t speak English. Other than that, the trail was very sparse of pilgrims. We felt as though we were the only ones for miles.

Our path today was clear and wide most the day.

Eladio in the wine growing region of Najera

Religious artifacts placed by locals as a blessing to Pilgrims

Me at the Cathedral of Navarette

Inside the cathderal of Navarette

Winery in Najera Spain

Grapes growing in wine country of Najera

Eladio and Rick with rain gear on

Donna crossing river near Najera

Sometimes you come to a fork in the road

At the fork, arrows lead the way.