In contrast with the walk so far, today was the easiest. For the first 5km it was flat but the only real climb came at 13km, by 1300h I reached my destination.
I had the best night sleep on this Camino so far, I closed my eyes at lights out and opened them when the albergue began to stir, as the peregrinos started their day. A young Israeli couple in the bunk opposite had left behind a jumper; knowing that I would meet them again I brought it along with me.
After calling into a shop in town for more fruit, the route out followed the river into the countryside, past a quarry high up above. Outside the village ‘Ziortza-Bolibar’, I reunited the lost jumper with its owner, it was also here I bumped into Eugene.
After a quick catch up I pressed on, enjoying the sunshine and the views. After descending a flight of wooden steps through a forest, I met three ladies from the UK. They had set off from Ziortza and had encountered the dreaded bed bugs at the albergue!
Leaving Gerrikaitz was up hill, the biggest challenge for the day, but nothing too strenuous in comparison with the journey thus far. Again admiring the views the kilometres sped by, and by 1300h I was in Olabe.
The Albergue opened at 1500h, giving me time to have lunch at the local bar and catch up with pilgrims I had met over the last few days. Most were going on to Gernika.
It was another communal meal shared with Camino friends from the past 7 days. Di who I had walked with between Irún to San Sebastián, Lina and her father Markus and John, however, unfortunately Neill was missing.
Yesterday was a tough one for him, so he took a bus to Bilbao to take a rest day. Hopefully I will see him there.
Stu's Camino 