Stage 6 and some of the people we have met

We woke early again - at about 5:30 - and very quietly packed out bags and went upstairs for a breakfast of coffee/hot chocolate, orange juice and packet toast, margarine and jam in the Sports centre bar.  You had to prepay for this, when you arrived, and you couldn't just buy coffee, as the German man found out. I shared my jug of coffee with him, which we both agreed was earth Ike sludge!

We were out of the albergue/sports centre by 6 :40 and walking through the last bit of suburb, back to the wine fountain, and beyond.   Back in Larrasoana, we had met a couple from Sidcup, of all places, and we met them again today.  They were only going as far as Logrono, but were intrigued by the wine fountain. We walked with them that far, but then left them there as I had already sampled the wine, and drinking that early didn't really appeal.  It was sill overcast and a bit drizzly, but the rolling hills of northern Spain are beautiful ,and were also gradually giving way to more and more vineyards as we entered La Rioja country.

We mad really good progress, and before we knew it we had reached the guidebook's suggested stop at lunchtime.  We stopped in the main square and had lunch in a small cafe, but as it was good walking weather, we decided to continue on to the next village before stopping for the night - only another 7 kms!

The final km was up a rather steep slope, but as we turned the corner, we heard a shout of "hi" and it was Ezra, a NewZealander we had met earlier.  We got checked in, and cropped our backpacks by our beds, and met Lisa, a young Swede, who had been in the sports centre the night before.  This albergue, in Torres del Rio, did not have a kitchen, but for 10 Euros, their sister restaurant did a very good 3 course meal which included wine and bread.

The boys decided to have a rest ,so I sat outside and chatted with Ezra, while she ate her salad.  Then the lady opened up the church, so we went to see it.  It was rather interesting ,and it was built in an octagonal form.  As we were leaving, the Sidcup couple appeared, and I took them down to the restaurant, so they could buy their dinner tickets, and we and a glass of wine.

At 7pm we went back down for dinner, which was great, and as we were enjoying our main course, the kind Spanish lady and her family arrived.  They are walking with a 6 month old baby!

It was a very enjoyable meal with great company and good wine.  Then it was back to the albergue for lights out at 10 pm. We sleep in bunk beds with at least 8 to a room, and shared facilities.  Sadly, that night, there were a couple of really loud snorers next to me - so loud that I could actually here them throughout the closed door when I got up to go to the loo!  I know that I snore as well, so I feel for the others in that room!

We had paid for breakfast when we booked in, and it was rather busy, but better that the day before.  The coffee was fresh, as was the bread, with butter rather than margarine, so we were well nourished when we set off the next morning, for stage 7 and Logrono.