Well, first of all last night was one of the coldest nights I have had on the Camino. The room was freezing and it almost hurt to breather it was so cold. I stayed in a donativo albergue that was interesting to say the least. I am a pilgrim so I am grateful to have had a roof over my head and a meal. That being said as meals go it was not at the top of my donativo list but hey it was ok.

Today we walked from Grañon to Villafranca Montes de Oca. I usually stop in Villafranca for breakfast as I have stayed in Tosantos but it was closed so we walked 28k. I had a chance to have lunch with a friend from the area whom I met last year while walking the Via de la Plata. Jose Miguel lives in Miranda de Ebro which is only about 30km from here. We had a great lunch and reminisced about the Camino. I also met his friend Mateo who is a hospitalero in Miranda which is on the Camino de Bayona. Ed also knows Jose Miguel so we both had fun talking to him.

Villafranca is at the base of what will be a relatively long climb. It is 12km to the next town when is San Juan de Ortega. I will most likely walk to within 10km of Burgos so that Saturday is a short day into Burgos.

Still having fun. My body is getting stronger. We walked very fast today and even with stops were faster than 5km per hours.

Today I was up bright and early, of course that is not really different then normal except that I was in Nájera and it felt a bit like home. I put the kettle on for tea while I was getting ready. Once my tea was ready I dipped galletas in the tea just like the Spaniards do. Not normal for me but delicious.

Our walk today was basically through the vineyards. The normal stopping point on this stage is Santo Domingo de la Calzada. We decided to walk on to Grañón and stay in the Albergue in the cathedral. Unfortunately Albergue San Juan Bautista is closed for maintenance.

We are staying in La Casa de las Sonrisas. In Grañón. A donativo.

Today was the first long day of the Camino. If you are following the stages it is the 8th stage. The day is approximately 30km. There are a few stops along the way but Vaina is really the most amazing. The church in Viana is simply spectacular. It would have been easy to miss. Fortunately we stopped for coffee just next door so before we left town we decided to leave and since the church was open we went in. Wow! I will try to put a picture in when I get home.

We walked the majority of the day in the rain. It was off and on and at some times between the wind and the rain it as interesting. Others it was nice but of course when you have your rain gear on it is wet no matter what.

Today I am staying in Nájera which is the place that a worked as a hospitalero. I really like this town and feel very comfortable here. I am staying at the albergue which ironically I have never stayed at as a pilgrim. I have always stayed in a private Albergue. I learned so much working as a hospitalero. Mostly I learned that I love the pilgrims that stay in the municipal albergues and the experience of the camino is totally enhanced by staying in them, in my opinion. Crazy enough there is even wifi here now. I got to have a great dinner at my favorite restaurant in town Buen Yantar. The Morcilla is always delicious.

Tomorrow we will walk to either Santo Domingo or on to Granon.