Route: Navarette – Azofra
Distance: 23 km (Total 143 km)

My fourth night on El Camino is behind me. Everyday the places I stay at get better and better. This time the accommodtion we had with Henry was excellent. It was warm inside and there were just the two of us. Can it get any better than this? It is a bit of a lottery as choosing everyday to go a bit further than most of the pilgrims we end up staying at less popular places with more accommodation risk. So we will see what waits for us either at Azofra or Ciruena, which would be plan maximum for today.

Before departure we have Miguelitos for breakfast. Very delicious. Then we do some groceries for the road. I ask the cashier at Carrefour Express about his funny dress. He tells me it is the end of Carnival.

The day is pretty rainy and windy. Walking through endless vineyards of La Rioja we feel a lot of mud under our feet. We pass a sign informing about San Millan de la Cogolla. That place is considered the cradle of the Spanish language. It would require quite a detour to get there. Besides, I have already visited it on a different occassion. Perhaps another time.

After reaching Najera we have a craveable lunch.

1,5 hours later we get to Azofra. The thought of having something warm to eat and sleep in is overriding. A passerby informs us the usual albergue is closed in winter. Instead he walks us to a smaller one next to a church. He warns us that there is no heating system inside. It is about 2 C outside. Inside it feels even colder. Like in an old church.

At the albergue we are greeted by a sympathetic Japanese student, Hiro. He had to abort his daily walk due to pain in the legs. I make some tea for the three of us and we have a nice chat. This type of albergue is basically self served. You stamp your own credencial and donate what you want into the box for your stay.

To prepare this post and upload it I look for a restaurant in town with WiFi wondering how I am going to survive the hibernation tonight.

Meditation V: Trust in God and you will regain strength

Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40, 30:31

I sometimes wonder where do I get all the energy for this hike, for my arduous trainings, for my intense life? How is it possible that I regain my energy so quickly. I found an answer in Book of Isaiah, upon which I meditated today. It comes from trusting the Lord.

For a few years now I have tried to better understand the Word of God. Various quotes from the Bible that I learned as a small kid being a lector in church come back to me in different moments of my life and help me go through it. Today I discover how powerful those words are. They support me like the wings carry an eagle. I high recomend such a meditating practice!