Estella (Spanish for Star)

We left Puente la Reina this morning shortly after day break. As we exited the city we crossed the "Queens Bridge" built in honor of its benefactor Dona Mayor, wife of King Sancho III.  She had this bridge built to support a safe crossing for the pilgrims.

We hiked 13.6 miles today over rolling farmland and vineyards. There was little shade today and lots of sun. The high today was about 75 degrees. About a third of the way today we came upon a medieval hilltop village named Cirauqui.  The village is beautifully preserved with narrow winding streets.  Many of the homes have armorial crests and ornate balconies with flowers draping from them.

A little further down the road we stopped at a cafe in the village of Lorca.  We ate lunch there and listened to a little Strauss music that was playing in the cafe.  Lee was in heaven as that's some of her favorite music.  Turns out the cafe was owned by a young German man and his wife.  Lee gave away another "California" ball cap to the woman today. I looked down and running down her pant leg was printed "Hollister California", I couldn't help but laugh!

We are in another four star hotel tonight.  The view out our window is a church built in the 12th Century.  We have been seeing so many ancient structures along the way it's just unbelievable.  There is so much history here we wish we could take in more, but we're not necessarily here to be tourists on this trip. We're on a piligramage and we leave again tomorrow for a new town a little further down the road.  Tomorrow we are headed for Los Arcos.

Buen Camino!