Cizur Menor to Puente La Reina (Camino de Santiago)

The day started with a shared mug of Starbucks instant coffee which was wonderful. I had carried a few along and Mike and I enjoyed every sip. It was still dark as we walked until the sun provided a glorious sunrise. The terrain changed from woodlands to open farmland. The wheat fields had turned golden and were glimmering. Our path climbed via a dirt track towards a ridge line of wind turbines. Red poppies bloomed randomly along the trail providing a bright exclamation of color. Once we reached the high point, Alto del Perdon, we took a short rest behind a metal sculpture of pilgrims on their way to Santiago. The path led down into the next valley and Mike and Tim took off at a fast pace so I took my time walking with a young German fellow. All of us met up at the edge of the village of  Muruzabal and decided to take a detour to Eunate to visit the eight sided church of the Knights Templar. The church sat alone just off a busy highway. The arched entrance led to an interior walled inner keep and to the heavy wood entrance doors which stood open. We entered into the darkened interior and our eyes adjusted to reveal simple wooden pews and a carved Madonna. The windows were inlayed with a thin white stone which let in a very soft light. It was a hot and the detour added several miles to our day. We arrived at Puente La Reina and arranged lodging, had a shower, lunch and nap. Early in the evening we found a small store and purchased wine, bread, meat and cheese for a lovely picnic before an early night to bed. Journal: “The tour bus guide illuminated the small Madonna and the elderly Spanish tourists let out a verbal awe. He then led them in song of religious praise. Their voices carried a beautiful tone as I stood in the back listening. Chills ran up my back. That was the second time today that I experienced the awareness and beauty of the. I am thankful.”