4. To Pamplona

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After a couple of beers the night before and a room full of snoring, it was a tough call waking up this day, but Tony was still laughing.

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Brekkie!

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We set off alongside the River Arga, after passing a Magnesite factory and onto a tranquil path…

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We pass a the Abbey of Eskirotz & Ilarratz  ” La Abadia” that was being voluntarily looked after which was on the way to Larrasoana.  Incredible inside.

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We stopped for a cuppa at Larrasona

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We continued  through Akerrta and Zurian

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The last town before Pamplona, Puente de ArreDSCN2659

 

and we finally reached our funky  digs “Hostel Hemingway”  in Pamplona , where we were all shatterred and looking forward to our rest day on the Saturday.

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Saturday 14th  – Rest Day

Lots was going on including  a half Trialthon, a festival with giant puppets and musicians .

Our Hostel was opposite a market, Mercado.

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The on into town to see the sites

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The view South , where we will head on Monday…

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and I met a mad bunch of people dancing around in giant costumes and playing unusual flutes.

 

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who’d come through all the streets and gathered at the Town Hall

 

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Whats that?

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So I saw a cute piggie and realised thats how the advertise their butchers…

 

 

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Some fried baby octopus and calamari for lunch, VERY good

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Then onto the Cathedral for some culture, and a wedding part were preparing with a VW for transport.

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…it is MASSIVE.

 

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The onto the incredible Art Deco interior of the  Café Iruna (yes you had to be there to appreciate)

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That evening we all wandered out and ate some good food

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and I bumped into some friendly people, including a Carlos Biurrun who exports his Nekeas Rioja wine all over the world.  He insisted that I try this local spirit whilst I talked computer programming with an Ernest Hemingway Jnr 😉  They are definitely a very civilised society, where couples, families, elderly all mixed and played during the day.  No excessive alcohol, no violence, all good spirited and happy fun.  A heck of a town that I look forward to revisiting again and i HIGHLY recommend you go.

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