Day 76.....my target to finish - 14 more days

It was very cold last night and I couldn't get a decent night's rest, there was no heating in the room.  I am still up in the mountains and the weather is very different to what I was walking in only a few days ago.  Left Villafranca first thing and walked in the rain to Atapuerca and enjoyed my lunch of egg and chips.  Still walking with Eric, he's a great guy but we do walk at times on our own and then catch up in the evening.  I met an American who busted his head open when he fell out of the top bunk, I know sore feet are standard on the Camino but he's the first I've met who has a sore head!  There are lots of Aussies and English too. 

Got a comfy bed for the night in a cheap hotel, I'm feeling very tired, having such sore feet isn't helping.  Eric and I met a bloke who is walking the opposite way from Santiago and he left Santiago 14 days ago, so that is my new target - 14 days to finish.  That would mean I would have completed the Camino proper in 3 weeks - I've definitely set myself a challenge, so here goes, just hope my feet hold out.  I've now walked 1290 miles since the 19th August.

By the way, I am not using that Spanish number anymore, it wasn't any cheaper so I am back on my UK number again.

Day 75.....That's 2000 kms walked - 500 to go!

Didn't get a great night's sleep again, it's hard to sleep in the auberge with so many people around. felt more tired today than any other day on the walk. I managed 22 miles but it was hard. For the first day for ages, my feet are really sore tonight.  I walked from Santa Domingo to Villafranca and it was mostly up hill.  Villafranca is 1000 feet up and I really feel the change in the temperature, so my rucksack is much lighter because I am practically wearing all my clothes to keep warm - the kilt is perfect walking gear no matter which season!  I am enjoying Eric's company, we don't always walk together but we usually meet up in the evenings and walk parts together.
Today is Ethan's birthday, my grandson who is 1 today and almost had the same birthday as his mother, Jen.  I phoned him and spoke to him, he went to the zoo with his mum and dad and had a fantastic day.  I send lots of love from Granda Mc Garry. I am missing you all and look forward to seeing you soon. 

 I am on the home leg now with about 300 miles to go. Yeehaw!

Day 74...Happy Birthday Jen!

Got up early and left Navarrete and walked to Najera had lunch.  Perfect day for walking, beautiful weather, walked 24 miles altogether to Santa Domingo and found refuge.
Today is my beautiful daughter-in -law, Jennifer's birthday and I wish her a happy birthday and today's song is for Jen!
 9 to 5 - Dolly Parton with lyrics
 

Day 73...hope there is no one snorkelling tonight....

Not the best sleep I've ever had, I kept being woken up by loud snoring, or loud snokeling as Sven calls it!  Apparently, I use to 'snorkel' a lot during our last walk on the Camino, one night Henry who started off in the next bunk to me, moved during the night to get away from me. Apparently since losing the weight , I don't snore anymore.  Not that my snoring bothered me but it did bother other folk! So another early start  - left Los Arcos at 7.30 walked through beautiful  countryside and stopped at Logrono for a lunch of a couple of yogurts and croissants.  Walked across the city and though a lovely park with a lake and really good views everywhere, very scenic.  Walked on towards Navarrete and arrived at 5 pm and found a good refuge called El Cantaro.  There are only 2 canadian women and Beno from Switzerland here.  I walked 25 miles today and I happy with my progress and really with the shorter days, it isn't possible to walk anymore.  Like at home in Scotland, the days will keep getting shorter as the weeks go on.

Day 72.....very hard walk today

Eric and I left Puenta le Reina early at 7.30 at walked to Lorca and stopped for a coffee.Then we continued on to Los Arcos.  It was a very hard walk and I was really glad of Eric's company, cheers mate. We walked 27 miles.  It was much cooler today about 14c with rain showers on and off.  Met another interesting guy, Malcolm from New Zealand and I enjoyed chatting to him, I went out to NZ a few years back and my mother has relatives living there, so it a part of the world I am interested in.  We had a 3 course peregrino (pilgrim) meal for 10 e but I still felt hungry after it.

today's song.....Roger Waters - 5:06 AM - Every Stranger's Eyes (live)

Day 71 ...The pilgrim statues

Had another great day walking with Eric.  We left Pamplona at 8 this morning.  What a beautiful walk over the hills to the viewpoint were the pilgrim statues are, this is a famous landmark on the Camino.  Had lunch and then walked unto Puenta la Reina and stopped for the night in refuge - hotel Jakuna.  had an amazing 3 course dinner and wine for 10 euro, so I'm off to bed a happy man!  Walked 17 miles today, sunny and 20c - another smashing day.
Today's song -Rockin' Chair - The Band (The Band 8 of 12)

This was taken last March with Sven and the others I walked with last time.

Day 70...My inspiration

The day starts at 6.30 in the refuges, nobody sleeps in and nobody can stay for two days so everybody gets going sharpish.  I walked 25 miles today to Pamplona and enjoyed some stunning scenery in beautiful weather.  I met Eric from Switzerland who is a great guy to walk with - there are many pilgrims walking now but they are too slow for McGarry.  

Today would be my Dad's birthday but he passed away many years ago after suffering with Alzheimer's.  I've been thinking a lot about him while I've been walking and I would like to thank him for everything he did for me.  I remember him taking me on long walks when I was a boy. We also ran the Glasgow marathon together twice,  but Dad ran it many more times than that.  He was a great inspiration to me and helped make me the man I am today so thank you Dad and I love you forever.  

Today's song is

Electric Light Orchestra - Mr Blue Sky

for my wee Da.