Three days of walking in and according to the Wise Pilgrim Camino Del Norte app, we had covered 74km. Our pedometer apps put the distance at 84 km. We may have taken a few unplanned detours. What is more important is our total flights of stairs climbed and descended in three days – 647. I knew the coast would have some ups and downs but these have been dramatic.
Inaki, a local from the Zumaia area was out for a walk when we encountered him. He showed us the alternate route to Deba through the coastal geological park. He assured us that it would be beautiful. It was, but we were exhausted by the time we reached the albergue.
This local woman kindly redirected us after we passed a turn off in the coastal geological park. She was very friendly and walked with us 1 km back to the turn off.
Monika and Joerg, from Germany, were walking as far as Bilbao for their Easter holiday. Joerg travels the world for his job with Mercedes. Monika is a dentist and she walks faster than Joerg.
Belen and Gregor are from Murcia, Spain. They were also hiking for their Easter holiday. They had just completed the coastal geological park section we walked. We were all tired from the climbs and descents
Tonight we took part in our second “Pilgrims Dinner” at Albergue Izarbibe in Ibiri. Some albergues offer a special menu meal to pilgrims staying the night. The food was good but the friendly conversations with fellow pilgrims really connects us all. This albergue appeared to be a converted barn with a room for women, a room for men, and a bar. I could hear sheep outside complaining in the rain.