Uterga - Day 6 of my Journey,

So here I am in Uterga and I must say after having had a shower and doing my washing I am in heaven!  It is amazing what water can do for a weary soul.

Day 1 of my journey was difficult, Day 2 not so bad, but I had no idea what I set myself up for on Day 3 - the climb up and down the hill!!! to Zubiri.  When I reached the sign that said Zubiri was 3.3km away I was more than ready to just fall down dead.  I had no resources left, my feet were aching and when I got to the town, the first and second Auberges were Completo (full) and I had to drag my weary body to the municipal auberge which was not one of my best experiences.  Not too clean, sharing bathroom with both sexes - you get my point. .. hehe. . .and me not sharing bathrooms!!  AGGGGGHHHHH  It was all I could do not to start crying.

Most computers do not allow download of photographs, but I will make a plan in one of the bigger cities.

Started off the next day to Arra which is about 4.5km outside of Pamplona and stayed in Trinidad de Arre - I think. . .I am writing without a guidebook now. . .it was absolute bliss. . . . lovely courtyard garden to sit in, beautiful little town and a supermicado to buy salad stuff.  It was wonderful just sitting in the garden eating salad and drinking wine.  This was also my cheapest meal so far. . .pilgrims menu´s in the region of 12 Euros and this cost me (including my yoghurt and fruit for breakfast the next day) about 4 Euros.

Spent yesterday in Pamplona exploring a bit. . . and left at 6 this morning to Uterga.  This to me had been an easier day although it was quite steep up and down, but nothing like the bit to Zubiri. . .  .On Wednesday I had serious doubts about my ability to do this.  The first 3 days were not easy.

I am learning many lessons and releasing so much crap (sorry about that one), much time to think and finding myself really trusting God for strength and resilience on the difficult parts. . .Today many songs and poems just wrote themselves in my head and before I knew it - I WAS IN UTERGA!!!  How amazing is that?

This first week I have really only plodded along and have not taken that many pictures. . . Realised that I am walking more from A to B to get a bed, than experiencing and being on THE WAY!  Am not going to keep on doing it like this.

Well, that is it for me now, just a quick update, and will try to post again early in next week. . .I am not having an easy time, but I am still strong in my mind. . . .(kan nie nou dink wat moedeloos in Engels is nie - maar ek is nog nie moedeloos nie).

The trip to Zubiri did quite a bit of damage to my feet.  I am nursing some really big blisters - which my shoes have never given me. . .hope they will get better and not worse.

In the meantime I miss everybody that I love so much. . . .and on my way up the mountain today cried many tears - specifically for my sister who passed away last year. . .

To my kids who are really cheering me on and my grandchildren. . .- I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH AND AM SHEDDING A TEAR HERE. . . .LAW JOE MATS!!!!!

Tomorrow I might only go as far as Los Arcos, dont know and have decided to take each day as it comes. 

Remember that you can mail me on wiltheron@gmail.com  I may not be able to reply but I do receive those messages on my blackberry. . . . It is great to receive an email saying that you commented on my blog or even just wishing me well.

On I walk. . .xxxx