Stage One - Reprise of Pamplona to Logroño - Part 3

Encarnita found yet another heart along the way. These heart-shaped configurations of small stones, often surrounding a flower or piece of ribbon, were the handiwork of Brian, the reikei healer I mentioned in an earlier posting. He was obviously ahead of us, as we were reminded every time we encountered another of his stone hearts.

Another Camino marker. Did the boot signal a disheartened pilgrim who abandoned the route, or did it indicate nothing more than a change in footgear?

The octagonal chapel at Torres del Rio was not the first one we had encountered. The conversation with the photographer at Eunate was recorded in our journal of Camino moments; at Torres it was the a capella singing. The photographer at Eunate was testing out the lighting effects of the chapel as he was scheduled to record the wedding of a cousin. This cousin had met his fiancée on the Camino. The singers were part of a small choir from a northern city and offered an Ave Maria, followed by a renaissance piece when requested by Encarnita.

The entry into Logroño passes over a hill that was once the site of Celtic community. Before one can see modern day Logroño, however, one comes to the stand of Felisia. For fifty years Felisia offered beverages to passing pilgrims. She even had her own stamp for the pilgrims passports. When she died six years ago, her daughters took over the responsibility. They had no difficulty knowing when pilgrims were passing by, as each one was announced by their dogs.

Logroño has interesting churches as well as excellent wine. At the Church of Santiago, where we attended the pilgrims mass, Saint James the Moorslayer was in full fight over the portal, encouraging us on our way.