Day 12

Torres del Río to Logroño - 20 kms
22 April 2019

Another good day on the Camino. We left Torres del Río just before dawn - the moon and the stars lit our way. We had a climb to start our day. The ups and downs of Camino remind me of cousin Chris Skinner saying that God has a wonderful sense of humour. I think that the hills are God's way of making sure we earn our Compostela if we do finally make  it to Santiago de Compostela. The only certainty on our walk so far is that if we're walking on a level pathway we'll soon come to a steep hill.
The town of Viana was about half way along our walk and was where we enjoyed a long breakfast/morning tea break. I  bought a pair of socks in Viana as I lost a sock back in Roncesvalles.
As we left Viana a couple of pilgrims told us that there was going to be a fiesta and sure enough just out of Viana we came across a church where an outdoor alter and pews had been set up for Mass. Many mobile stalls were set up a little away from the church - they're were selling all sorts of toys and other bits and pieces plus people were setting up picnic tables and small grills. A statue of the Virgin Mary was carried from from Viana with great ceremony. We stayed for the Mass which was said by a bishop and seven priests. Hundreds of people were at the Mass but many more hundreds had gathered together in large groups over a large area and had set up their picnic spots.  As we set off on our way after Mass people stopped us and to share some of their food. We have found the Spanish people to be so very friendly and helpful. Tonight we are in a busy albergue in Logroño.

Someone obviously gave up on their boots.

On an old building we walked past.

There are so many of these little constructions dotted along the way, some quite intact others crumbling away. I understand that they were shelters for the person who was tending the crops.

We were too early for this bar.

We walked through pockets of vineyards and olive, almond and fig trees.

Our first view of Viana

The hedges with the small white flowers reminded me of the hawthorn hedges of the Roto-o-Rangi farm.

Coming into Viana I rested while Jeff took this photo of an old Philips ad - memories of his West End Radio days.

Santa Maria Church in Viana

We enjoyed our break in here.

Ruins of the Church of St Peter.

Leaving Viana.

One of the first rose blooms I've seen. The rose bushes are full of buds but most are yet to start opening.

Pappy's house for today is just out of Viana. Pappy will love living here as there's plenty to keep him busy and you know how Pappy likes to be kept busy don't you girls.

St James in the little church just out of Viana - the outdoor Mass was held next to this church.

The alter in the church.

We're waiting for Mass to start.

The bishop giving the homily.

People had small grills to cook their meats. These men were some of the people who gave us some of their food.

I loved these tamarisk shrubs.

Just before Logroño we crossed from Navarra to La Rioja region. We had been Navarra since we crossed the French/Spanish border.

New Camino signs appeared as soon as we entered the La Rioja region.

According to this graffiti we've just 616 kms to go.

The first stork nest we've seen.

The bridge into Logroño.

We had a pilgrims meal not long after we arrived at our albergue. It was very nourishing.

In Logroño 

Cathedral se Santa Maria de la Redonata in the centre of the old town of Logroño.