Hi All you Camino followers.  Bear with me if I repeat myself.  I don´t always remember what I write.  I guess I could check my blog.  What a thought.   My brain is definitely in non-thinking mode after a long day of hiking.   Last evening Gay, Connie, Ian and I had a delightful pilgrims dinner in a very nice restaurant with lovely linen table cloths, nabkins, and lovely wine glasses.  Needless to say this has not been our usualy eating environment although there have been many  many lovely meals and places that hosted them.   We had cod in a Rioja sauce which is a red sauce with minced vegetables and the ever present french fries.  Not the abundance of french fries that we get in the states, but 7 or so to add to the meal.  Most of the salads I´´ve had include olives, tuna, egg, mixed greens and tomatoes with balsamic and olive oil.  They are quite substantial and I love love love having some greens.  For 12 euros you get a 3 course meal which is very filling.  Usually the desserts are scrumptious  and I splurge after all this walking.  Last evening I thought I would be more healthy in my choice and I ordered fruit, as did the rest of my group.  We were totally surprised when our waitress came out and placed a whole apple on our lovely plate.  The contrast between the rest of the meal and the apple was hysterical.   Just goes to show you how our minds and preconceived beliefs collide with reality.  We all sliced our lovely apples and finished a delightful meal with good company and good spirits before shuffling off to bed. 
     Today was an interesting day.  We left Viana this morning around 6:30 and arrived in Navarette around 2:00 or 2:30.   Walking daily has given me the gift of embracing nature in a manner that is deeper and more raw/organic.   I love it and am in awe of how much I miss in my daily life.  We started out walking in the dark this morning and had to use flashlights and adlamps.  The trail was through the village and out into the country side where everything opens up and you get to see the sky.  The sunrise this morning was gentle and soft with the background lights twinkling in the background.   As we continued on the landscape opened up again and we found ourselves walking on road and bicycle paths through the city of Logrono.  We stopped for breakfast, a Spanish Tortilla and coffee con leche brfore walking through the busy busy city with all its sounds.   They seem so much louder and harsh since we´ve been out in the country or in little villages the past few days.   A high light of the morning was when a local woman was passing us, she stopped, opened her arms wide and with this beautifc smile and great sincerity looked us in the eye and said twice BUEN CAMINO.  It brought tears to my eyes and does even now when I think of it.   The rest of the day of through Rioja country, which is a wine region.   So fields and fields of grape vines which also translates to sun sun sun and little shade.  You would think we are getting used to this by now and I think I am, or at least I´ve come to expect it and as usual smile when I see a tree and the shade it affords.   We struggled up a hill to the first alburgue, which I must say is a disappointment. Crowded with no green space outside and not real place to bond with your pack, not my pack of people, but my best friend, my osprey pack moxia the marvelous,  something I seem to do daily.   But, I got over it after a moments rest on my top bunk, which I am used to at this point, I am showered, clothes laundered and connecting with you all before we venture into the old town of the city for some food.  I love your posts back and I am happy to hear you are enjoying mine.  As always thank you and I leave with  my new\old favoriate  saying Carpe Diem, something I am certainly doing here on the Camino.   Much love to you all,  Camille on the Camino