23.8 km – 14.8 miles

6:45am to 1:30pm walking time

1843 feet / 561 meters elevation gain

It was definitely hard to get up to my alarm this morning. Having a hotel room where I could really sleep well was very nice and much needed. But my body could have used some more rest. Oh well, there was walking to be done.

I did get a slightly later start than I wanted, but it was still nice and cool for leaving this morning. I knew there would be a decent size climb so I had hoped to get to it as early as I could to avoid the worst heat. Lots of great views through the farm fields along the way.

My legs are starting to get over the soreness from day one’s climb. I usually find about 4-7 days into my Camino walks, that I’m finally feeling like my body has accepted the torture and will maybe even start embracing it. Despite that, your feet still feel like they will fall off after about 12-13 miles no matter what.

Throughout the day I kept seeing Camino people I’m starting to know. Though I walked most of the day by myself, it was fun to catch up with folks I’ve met since day one. I did walk a few minutes with a couple guys from Ireland that I had sat down to have beers with a couple nights ago. I’ve noticed several people I’ve met aren’t able to walk the full Camino due to timing so there will be a handful of these folks that I stop seeing over the next few days.

It’s now siesta time in Puente la Reina so I found I had to go to one of the few restaurants to find change for doing my laundry, which meant buying a beer to go. Even the albergue host leaves for siesta here so I had to get resourceful!

It’s hot out but I’m hungry and need to find something to eat at one of the few open places. But with only one washer and dryer here, I need to stick close for when my clothes are done.