Buenas Dias ...Pampolona, April 26

Today has been magnificent. From listening to the streams and rivers, the birds, the brilliant yellow flowers of scrub, fruit blossoms, green fields, homes with red shutters, more tended flower beds with intensely colored flowers. So much to see and hear when you walk alone... the sunshine to feel and the clear blue sky with lots of jet streaks (but no noise).

I am feeling strong - I walk faster than most (not all that much) and I take a break every hour and stretch. Thank goodness for my yoga, I have never wanted or needed to do it more for the muscle stretching part than I do now. It feels so good to stretch the tight muscles - and I do feel fit. The pack did not seem as heavy today - it fits beautifully and so many options to pull on various straps. I love it. And of course, the camelback so I drink my 2 liters without thinking about it.
Speaking of stuff - of course I have too much - it is getting much hotter. I am glad to have a little (or not so little) cloth bag that I was planning on throwing out after arriving. It holds everything including a change of clothes for the shower. The important things that you think of and do every day!

I was totally moved - well moved to tears today as I came around a bend with a cute biggish house there was a teen girl and boy playing a violin and accordion. I nearly danced to the music - pack and all. Just a few feet beyond was a small old cement bridge with a small river underneath. I leaned against the bridge wall and was overcome with emotion. The intensity of it all hit today. I feel so fortunate to be here doing this - the challenge, the time to be here - everything. I feel so glad to be alive and to be here. I did think of the poem that Bob had put on the plaque - a curve in the stream, the sky, ...and with it the realization that you are never alone. I know heavy stuff....

I am excited to be in Pamplona. Will go out and explore now as the sun is still shining and hope to catch a drink and a look at the town walls and the cathedral. Time to mix with the others. The faces are becoming familiar though most still don´t have names for me.