Camino Day 3: Akerreta to Pamplona
“The only impossible journey is the one you never begin”
Day 3: 21.9 kilometres - 32,168 Steps
Not such a long walk today. I resolve to buy Donna some comfortable shoes for after walking when we arrive in Pamplona. Recovery shoes. She has only packed heels and hiking boots.
The weather is once more delightful, crisp morning that gives way to a warm and sunny day. The country lanes are peaceful and we cross ancient roman bridges. The we begin to hit the suburbs of Pamplona. It feels a special privilege to enter a city this way. We are privy to the everyday homes and lives of the inhabitants of this small city. Peoples gardens, their washing, children playing football in the streets. Music, which we have missed without even realising it.
We find a small suburban Pasteleria and stop for tea and cake. It’s lovely. We browse in a few stores. It’s interesting and easy, a great intro to a new town. I’m not expecting much from Pamplona but as we get close its clear this is a very special place. The final trail into the city is along a delightful riverside path through pretty parklands until we reach – The Wall. The old city walls are striking and reasonably complete is this section. I start chatting with a pastor from the US. We are amazed at how impressive this area is. As we walk up the stately path we see the drawbridge and gate. Huge wow factor! The drawbridge is still used once a year. It’s easy to imagine pilgrims of the past being relieved to enter the safety of this town. Inside the four-storey houses are squeezed tight in narrow streets, brightly painted in different hues. So pretty.
Pamplona is a tapas town and Donna is in her happy place. The bars and cafes are full of hanging jamon and delicious tapas, laid out in pretty rows of bite sized temptation.
We arrive mid afternoon and all is quiet – it’s siesta time – but at 5pm the roller doors spring open, the townsfolk all come out and the town bursts into life. It’s Friday night, the perfect time to be in a city dedicated to tapas.
POSTCARDS FROM AKERRETA TO PAMPLONA
