One of the preconditions / contract stipulations of SB taking part in the Camino walk is that she gets to book the hotels.

And they have to be ones she approves of.

Secretly I’m very appreciative of that condition.

So the ‘short’ walking day was actually planned around a stay at a very nice boutique hotel in Villamayor de Monjardin.

I don’t deserve such nice things…

Back to the 4 a day picture diary.

Where? View out of our hotel room window in Estella.

The Church of San Miguel.

More like a fortress, but given the history of the area that is not surprising.

Lots of these towns are like something from a film set.

What? In between the walking we are trying to do other stuff.

Here I am taking part in a local ritual of having a drink from a Wine Fountain (at 9.30 am).

Yes, you read that right.

At Bodegas Irache Winery there’s tap where you can fill up with red wine for free.

Also water.

It’s keeping the ancient tradition from the nearby Monastery alive of giving wine to Pilgrims.

Being part of traditions is important to me.

Who? Here’s SB rounding the corner in the Cloister at the Santa Maria Monastery in Irache.

Bathed in ‘Angelic Light’.

Whilst I was absorbing the wonders of Medieval carvings and such like, SB was examining the electrical wring on the Church refurbishment. Apparently it is very good. Ecclesiastical Electrical Safety Certificates are currently her thing… Don’t ask.

Why? Why the archeologies and conservation people at the Monastery reckon this is Griffo is beyond me.

It’s obviously a Dragon.

And there was probably a Welsh Stonemason Pilgrim who travelled this way back in the day.

A bonus picture.

I’m starting to see this wonky fish graffiti in a few places along the Camino.

All with cute exclamations.

It’s the new ‘live, laugh, love’ if I get my way 🙂

You Never Know…