Being retired, this Camino is our new work of sorts for awhile. It hit me though, that we have had no days off. In that regard we've made a compromise: two short days = one day off. And that's our plan for today (3.5 hours) and tomorrow (2.5 hours).
Last night's accommodation was excellent, a family run pension, El Olivo, that was a veritable watercolour museum, paintings done by the father of the clan.
Today's path lead us through wine country with many ups and downs, some steeper than others.
Tonight we're in a basic pension in the middle of the town of Viana with lots of happy people sounds below. We toured the ruins of the 13th century San Pedro Church, located a block away, which was demolished during the first Carlist War of 1844.
C and I reviewed our expectations vs reality of our Camino experience so far. For me the amount of elevation gain/loss was far more than expected. The guide book seems to be off in that regard. C was surprised at how absorbed he is in the scenery and its changes, rather than in spending the time in any thoughtful reflection.
I've noticed the difference in the sounds of the church bells, town to town. Last night's sounded like a giant cowbell. Another like the ding ding ding on a miniature train in Disneyland or Vancouver's Stanley Park. The frequency of ringing differs, most chiming the hour, then a single stroke on the half hour and some that mark every 15 minutes. Then there are the towns with more than one church so it's all of that multiplied. I missed church bells when we moved to Vancouver, but I hear that Christ Church Cathedral is installing them as part of their renovation.
Have to do some Camino shopping. We've already left behind my toiletry bag and Chuck forgot is phone charger somewhere along the line. It's tough unpacking and repacking every day.
More tomorrow.
Life's a Stitch 
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