A family meal

We had a lovely meal last night with a group of people who have become friends due to a common share of self inflicted pain. This would be our last night out. We will miss Maureen, Brendan, and Claire, their company has been inspirational and really good fun. We are hoping that our path will cross with Shane and Marie as we journey to Santiago.  Well today we left Los Arcos, after breakfast, at around 7.40. On paper it looked like a pleasant relaxed walk but reality turned that on its head. The climb to Sonsol was vertical and never ending. We stopped at Torres del Rio for drinks and to get our breath back and then had the very steep climb to the summit of  N S del Poyo. After that it was undulating until Viana where we stopped for lunch. It was here we made a big mistake. We decided to carry on to Logrono. Why did we do that when everyone else seemed to be staying at Viana. It was a long 12K in the heat. By the time we got to Logrono I had lost the will to live. Picture Dustin Hoffman in the film, midnight cowboy, walking across the bridge, and that was me. Mary is going from strength to strength and we have assumed our reversed Muslim tradition, Mary 100 mts in front.
    C.

There are so many nationalities on the camino but the Irish are so easy to spot.  We are the ones with the snow white arms and legs.  All of a sudden the sun has decided to shine and it was very hot today.
Despite the sun block we are red and sore.  But after 3 nights in the albergues, which are a bit too up close and personal for me, we are in an hotel tonight.
On the big bird front, we have seen vultures over the past 3 days. Sincerely hope they are not following us in the hope of tasty meal.
   M.