Camino Wander #3: Day 7

Another Rest Day - Pamplona

Apr 22, 2025

Since I arrived in Pamplona a day early, I have an extra rest day. Something I haven’t had in one place since I arrived in Europe. It feels strange to be stopped for so long. I find myself itching to keep going. To keep walking but it’s the drawback of booking ahead. And when plans change you find yourself having to adapt quickly.

As it was, staying put was a good thing. Turns out, I have a cold. I thought it was just congestion, and it started that way, but now it’s in my chest, so my coughing is just delightful. Being here has allowed me to get medication, now the shops have reopened. In just the short time since taking the first dose, I feel better. I just feel bad if I’ve somehow passed it on. It could have been congestion and the post nasal has made its way to my chest. I am prone to bronchitis and pneumonia, so now it’s just making sure I rest and keep an eye on it. I am okay - rest assured - as I’ve had much worse. And I read the signs and have taken action as quickly as I could. Maybe getting a cold (which I’ve always gotten in the Camino!) early means that I good from here. I can only hope, right?!

Having time on my hands meant I could find a place to stop and journal a while. Catch up a bit since I’ve been lagging behind. I found inspiration this morning after breakfast, sitting in the Iruna Cafe, writing page and after page in my journal. Seems my characters for my next novel ARE walking with me after all.

If you don’t know the Iruna Cafe, it’s rather famous, especially for writers. It’s been around since 1888 and was the first establishment lit by electric light in Pamplona. But it’s also where Hemmingway wrote (and set) THe SUN ALSO RISES. Its also where he and his cronies drank.

It was nice to have the time to just sit and write. It was busy around me but not so loud I couldn’t block out the noise. Especially since the characters had a lot to say!

From there, it’s was just wandering. I had a few things to resupply, mostly at the pharmacy, and a few snacks as well for the coming days (dried fruit, etc). I was in no rush.

There still seems to be a lot of tourists still in Pamplona, with a spattering of locals and pilgrims. The pilgrims stand out with their lightweight hiking pants and light day packs for collecting supplies. The locals are dressed well, especially around tapas time in the afternoon. The tourists hanging around are families mostly. Generations.

And then it was time for the pool. Yes, you read that correctly. I brought my swimsuit with me, and have a few places planned to get some hydrotherapy in. Pamplona is the first. 45 mins of spa and sauna. Muy bien!! It helped the lungs anyway.

Tonight I am repacking. I will head off early as I have 15km to walk tomorrow, and it’s a long slow hill before a sharp descent so I will be forwarding my pack for tomorrow. There are certain sections I will do this. This is another one of them.

Steps: 8524

Distance: 5.6km (by the end of the day)

Feeling: Rested but ready to walk on.

Cafe Iruna