Day 6 Los Arcos to Viana

Only 12 miles today, 6* C, occasional light rain and mist. A MUCH better day than yesterday. I walked for much of the way with 2 Australian women I met at the Alto de Perdon (where the iron cut out figures of the pilgrims are located, several days ago); they both said yesterday was just 'Horrid.' We were all cold and quite wet by then end, with no stops for rest or snacks because everything was closed. Today, totally different; no snow, only occasional light rain, and generally gentle paths over well packed and drained decomposed granite. However, there were still huge puddles, one overflowing rushing seasonal stream across the path to try and leap, and best of all, another pond in the road to go around. This time, there wa a group of three just ahead of me; a very tall Finnish men I met several days ago helped out. In the photo,  through the trees on the right, you can make out a figure walking through a farmer's field, the water is at least an inch high, then you climb the bank of the ditch to find it wide and full of water. The big Finn was able to jump across the ditch, then extended a hand to pull us 2 ladies over as we each made a big leap. I then waited and helped the 2 Aussies, but had to use my trekking pole  to pull them across. And then more huge puddles with deep water on the sides. Tonight my waterproof boots are wet again, but not as bad as yesterday.

The Aussies are traveling for several more months, so have large packs that are being tranported by carrier, they also have a laptop and making reservations someplace for the next day. They consider themselves 'Camino Primcesses' since they only carry a day pack and sleep in nicer places. I have embraced that thought, especially after yesterday, so tonight I am in a restored Palace, now a 4* hotel with modern key cards (no funky manual keys), central heat, and even a minibar. The special Pilgrim rate for 1, including breakfast, only 60 euros! I will do this more often.

Although much of today was long and gentle, there were steep villages in Sansol, Torres del Rio and Viana, as well as a small canyon to traverse, Torres del Rio has a  12th century octagonal church linked with the Knights Templar. Viana's huge cathedral is the burial place of the infomous Cesaria Borgia, exciled to Spain and killed in a local battle.

Tomorrow will only be a 6 mile stroll to Logrono, where I will have a partial rest day before moving on.