Distance 25.7 miles

Ascent 648 metres Descent 552 metres

An early start and we were in Estella by 9.30am today. Had a coffee and chatted with a young couple fron Norway who are walking the way. They said we were crazier than we look. We took that as a compliment but if they could see our delight at tonight’s laundry facility they would be thinking otherwise.

Alison has brought her Spanish dictionary to help with this phase of the journey. It was printed in 1968 and we have been using it to improve our Spanish. Phrases such as ‘how many pesetas?’ and ‘do you take travellers checks?’ appear to be baffling the locals,

Los Arcos is an arid town that has the look of a desert outpost. It looked unpromising at first but has an unexpectedly ornate church and some pretty backstreets.

Staying in a Pensione tonight and great excitement at sharing the facilities with a fellow Bikegrim who has cycled all the way from Utrecht. That’s just three bikegrims (including us) so far.

Tomorrow we get up earlier than today as it is going to be even hotter, so an early night tonight.