Day 10: Navarrete to Nájara (584kms to go)

Only 584kms to go. Or, add an extra 90kms if we continue on to Finisterra (the end of the world, or so the Romans thought).

Today we passed the 1/4 mark for the Camino. There was no marker for it. While every town is marked, there are very few markers for region borders. In fact, there wasn´t even a sign for when we passed from France to Spain. People just started speaking a different language. I´m sure these would be marked on main roads, but most of the time we´re on small country roads or dirt/stone walking tracks.

For the last few days we´ve been walking past a snow peaked mountain range far to the south. Today brought to mind some of Tolkein´s works. the endless walking; the mountain on the horizon; enormous cookies instead of Lembas bread;travel companions of foreign cultures; and instead of dropping a ring into Mt Doom, we´ll be placing a rock from home at the base of a cross, along with the rocks from a million prior pilgrims. And while more Brian Froud-esque than Tolkein-esque, fields of miniature rock piles stacked to improbable heights created a magical faery village atmosphere.

We arrived in Nájera (pronounced Na-hair-ah) and got accommodation quickly. This is a lively town full of colour & cafes, with massive white storks nesting on the bell tower of the eleventh century church. The storks circle high above the town along with the eagles, while smaller birds dart between the buildings.

We´ve been planning a rest day for several days now, so we think we´ll do it tomorrow. This seems a lovely place to kick up our tired heels while we chill the hell out. :)