Day 79. Sunday 25 May.

Something of a record: got out quite early, just after midday. Headed for Estella, an historic town about 22 km/45 mins from Azanza, along winding and in parts very narrow roads (has that been written before?)

We can certainly pick our moments: Estella was buzzing as festivities in honor of la Virgen del Puy, running from Friday to Sunday, was still underway, meaning that parking was tight. And for context: Our Lady of Puy, Saint Mary of Puy or simply Virgin of Le Puy is a Gothic carving and an invocation of the Virgin Mary, and the patron saint of Estella.  She was canonically crowned on May 25, 1958. Since the date of her coronation, the patron saint of the town is celebrated annually on May 25, although it is a festival celebrated from earlier dates as well.

It was a big deal: the program, we discovered later, included bull runs, street food, children’s activities, dancing, tradition, gastronomy and music. Followed some P signs to a local school, with parking solo torismos – that’s us, we thought! D was concerned that the gates might be shut early and luckily found a spot right next door. A later search on Google translate advised that in fact it means ‘only bullfighting’. If it meant ‘only bullsh***ing’ we would have been fine.

Fluffed around trying to work out where the old part of town was, and where to find a coffee. A gentleman stopped us and we think offered to help, but we advised, via Google translate, that we were fine (even if that wasn’t quite true).

Took a punt, wandered towards the fair and came across a simple pasteleria where we did get some good coffees and sweet treats from a couple of smiling ladies.

T accosted a young woman outside the shop for advice about the old town, who pointed us in the right direction – we were actually on the right track.

Down the road, over the bridge, and we were there and were on part of the Camino. The Church of San Pedro de la Rua and the Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra were, of course, closed.

Took the lift to the entrance of the church anyway: well, D and J did, but T tramped the stairs to put the other two to shame (point made: she came down in the lift).

Wandered through the streets of the old town, then down to the river. 

By now a beer was calling, so stopped off at Bar Amaya in the Plaza Coronacion for some beers and tapas: white anchovies in oil, garlic and vinegar,  olive, pickle, anchovies and green chilis on a stick, and tempura sardines. Pretty delicious.

This evening has seen accommodation confirmed for the last ‘block’…in the Spanish Pyrenees/Girona. Whew!

And there’s a little tapas of tempura beans, broccoli and leftover potatoes. Worked very well and so eager, forgot the photo. Dinner will be a compilation of pork, chicken and various veg as a salad mix. Tomorrow we’ll start the menu afresh.