Day 7 - Los Arcos to Logrono

Well Quasimodo ringing the bells didn't get to me; an extra glass of red and a set of good ear plugs and I slept like a baby.

We found out this morning that the Camino from St Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles (our first stage up through the Pyrenees) is now closed due to heavy snow!

It seems we arrived a day early, as we left (in the rain again) the square was setting up for a festival and the running of the bulls. I would have run with them, honest.

Our route to Logrono takes us on natural paths and dirt tracks through open arable farm land with clusters of vines and olive trees into the Torres del Rio & Cornava river valleys. It's not as hilly as we have previously experienced but a long slog in the rain and wind.



And on and on and on.

A short climb up to Sansol, a small sleepy village with, you guessed it, a couple of churches (they love 'em) and not a lot else.

We start our descent down to Viana where we find a small Tapas bar and have Lunch.

Only another 10km to Logrono.

Not sure what that is growing out of my head.







The medieval town of Viana is stuffed full of churches, monasteries and anything they could build out of the local stone in the 13th century, it is quite spectacular.

The old blends in well with the twenty first century needs, with its shopping areas and high class restaurants (gona be in one of them later to celebrate our first week).

Might even try a glass of Rioja.

We arrive at the busy University town of Logrono, the capital of La Rioja with its blend of modern and ancient architecture.

At the heart of the old town is the Gothic Cathedral with its impressive twin towers.

Might come back here in September, when they have a week long festival of San Mateo to celebrate the wine harvest. Just imagine a whole week on the vino!

 Yet more impressive stone masonry