Sunday, July 8, 2007

Day 24 - 21.5 or 22.4 Kilometres

Depending which map you consult. Viana to Navarrete

Our daily map that we picked up in St Jean said that Viana to Navarrete was 21.5Km. According to the milemarkers, it was 22.4. I vote for 22.4, as it means that Cz is really bookin´ it now!

It was a relatively easy walk. Just about the time we started thinking, "Gosh we´ve been walking a long time," the town came into view. So, 22 kilometres and change, and no aching muscles. All of out clothes are fitting a bit looser though.

About halfway between Viana and Navarrete is the city of Longrono. It is just an ordinary city, though it does have a lovely and LARGE park. In fact, most of the day´s walking felt like it was through said park. It did have a strange sculpture which inspired yet another undignified Cz picture. But you will have to wait to see it. (still no computer with a USB port).

Along the way, we met with a very VERY persuasive Spaniard who said (acted out) something along the lines of "Your walking stick offends me. You will take this one. It is a gift. Take it." There was no turning him down. You can´t turn down a Spaniard doing charades. Really. Just try. I dare you.

So, with two sticks - naturally the ofending one was passed down to me "You´re short it isn´t as bad for you" according to the Spaniard - we went on our way. As we walked, we passed a chain link fence decorted with crosses of all shapes and sizes. It is tradition for pilgrims passing this point to create a cross from whatever materials are at hand and add it to the fence. We felt that this would be a fitting send-off for stickie (the old stick - the Spaniard was in fact right - the new stick is very nice). The fence now sports a large, somewhat crooked cross decorated with dried grasses. Farewell Stickie!

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