At 12:06 I arrive at what was once the gate of the town of Sanguesa, the only part of the ancient wall left. From here the arrows seemed to disappear, so I had to continue by instinct. The centre was not far away.

The Church of El Salvador, an impressive construction in terms of bulk, but it seemed unfinished.


After wandering the streets for a while, I came across the albergue which was locked, and not opening for another couple of hours, so I decided to look for a hostel. There were none very obviously situated in the heart of the town.

The Church of Santiago.


The door of the Church, above which the image of Santiago welcomes the pilgrim. I remember enjoying the atmosphere within this Church as I sat to pray for a while.

The Church of Santa Maria de Sanguesa with its impressive facade and beautiful Gothic octagonal tower. I wandered past here and over the bridge leading out of town to find a hostel on the other side of the Aragon river.

The beautifully carved archway of the door of the Church, Santa Maria de Sanguesa.

Heading back over the bridge from the hostel I finally booked into to look for some lunch at 1:30pm, after a shower and clean up.


A detail of the archway of Santa Maria de Sanuguesa. Well worn figures that have been keeping watch at the door for a century or two!

SANGUESA TO MONREAL

Wednesday 24th of February (31 ks - 5hrs 25mins)
Left around 7:40am this morning and arrived at Monreal at 1:05pm.
A very tough walk after the first few kilometres. Lots of up hill work, and so much mud during the stretch between ten and twenty kilometres. This made the going very slow at times. I reckon I only covered around three and a half to four kilometres for one whole hour at one stage.

7:55am Rochforte

8:00am

8:13am (and below)

8:23am - The camino became somewhat muddy along this point - a sign of what was to come later in the morning.

One example of some of the beautiful wild flowers that scattered the camino along this part.

9:16am - The camino changed as it rose up to meet the highway, over which one had to pass so as to continue above the valley on the other side. The couple of whiskey's I'd drank the night before were taking their toll at this point. But that was soon to pass.

A wide view. 9:17am

9:17am - and then a vast panorama opened out before me.

9:41am - The track took me up along the edge of the ridge of the mountain. A very rough and narrow pathway at times, and presenting me with some challenging walking, but the view was good.

10:06am - Not far above the camino for quite a number of kilometres were a series of windmills, the noise of which were quite audible for some time, and quite a distraction whilst walking.

10:25am - typical of the coutryside during this period of the morning's walk, and the track, which was diceptively wet and boggy, making the going quite slow and difficult as the mud stuck to the soles of my shoes.

Izco comes into view, the first village since Rochforte, just out of Sanguesa.

11:13am Approaching Izco


11:13am - approaching Izco.

11:19am The rear fo the church of Izco.

11:22am Izco

11:23am leaving

Country side 11:38am

11:42am - the church of Abinzano comes into view.

11.45am Abinzano?

11.47am - passing the church of the village with no movement in sight, and only the sound of a barking dog to be heard.

12.04 (looking ahead or back?)

12.04pm (looking back?)

At 12:28pm and 1.5ks ahead, the village of Abinzano?

Only about three kilometres to Monreal, the camino swung over this bridge and along a more secluded path towards Monteal, avoiding the village just beyond the bridge, whose name I don't recall, as I never passed through it.

Typical of the last kilometre or so, drawing close to Monreal.

Very close to Monreal. The sharp mountain in the background had been on the horizon all morning. Only now did I realise that it was more or less my destination.

At 1:05pm, I finally approach the small town of Monreal.

The lovely old bridge into Monreal.

From my window, the plaza and Parish Church. The albergue was not open when I went to look for accommodation, and as I was tired and in need of a shower, I stayed at a private albergue - an very old house on the edge of the central plaza, nicely restored, which offered very good hospitality for a reasonable price. The building to the immediate right of the Church housed the only eating house in town, and was part of the Parish Centre. Although it was somewhat bland, it offered a very good meal - generous serves and cheap.

The fountain in the small central plaza of Monreal, perhaps the main feature of the whole village, besides the bridge into town.

The interior of the Church at Monreal.

I attended mass here in a side chapel of the Parish Church. Only a small group with the local priest in a very cosy environment. They were very friendly afterwards, and wished me well.

MONREAL TO PUENTE LA REINA

Thursday 25th of February 2010 (31 kilometres - 6 hrs)
Left about 7:45am and arrived at 1:45pm.
A long day, threatening rain throughout the walk, but only a few drops about the time I arrived at the Ermita Eunate around 12:40pm. Six hours, and every bit of 31ks. However, except for the first 5 ks or so, the journey was not too challenging physically, especially the last 10 - 12 ks. Just a bloody long way!

Setting off around around 7:45am.
The road began like this, but soon after the first village of Yarnoz, the yellow arrows directed me onto higher ground, and a less even track along the side of the hill to the left. Because it was a rougher track, it tended to wind its way along the contours of the hill, making the progress slower. Down below, the signs of settlement and development were quite obvious, taking a little romance and wonder away from the early part of the walk.

About 2.5ks along the road, at 8:07am, Yarnoz appears up ahead.

Passing alongside the Church and tower of Yarnoz, the first village on today's long walk.

A lovely site to behold in the morning's light.

Otero in the distance.

Just before the following slide.


8:48 Otero or Otano?