Zarautz May 24

First official day of El Camino del Norte and I was rarin' to go. Left the comforts of Hotel Arbaso in San Sebastian where one night cost as much a three in Zaragoza, and even though the room was not much bigger, the niceties felt good.  Tonight I am back in super-budget digs—by any criteria—in Zarautz. But one must note that the most barebones room in Spain will always be spotlessly clean, and if the toilet flushes (if you do it just right) and the hand held shower dispenses adequate hot water, and the wi-fi works, and there is an outlet for your power strip, and bed is tolerable, well, you can't complain. (The bed was barely tolerable)

The guide book begins, "The route begins with a steep climb."  It certainly did.  Steep and long.  The down part was muddy and a bit tricky to work your way through—although one young woman passed me scampering along like a mountain goat—anyway, think Roman Road in a state of terrible disrepair for a couple of hundred years and you will get the picture.

I do not know what to say about this variety of tree:

This rebaño de ovejas (flock of sheep) was between the road and the bay!  Maybe it has to do with that thing about the salt water infusing the grass, which makes the sheep taste good...in their after-life that is, or maybe that has nothing to do with why they are there.

Every time I see one of these, I am so happy!

Yet another selfie:

Lone horse amid tall grass in front of tree and the bay:

This cat must have had a fiercesome itch because it (I really wanted to say she, but maybe she was a he) did not stop scratching or move an inch when I passed her.

Blackheaded ovines:

Crosses line the way along certain stretches:

And the landscaping accommodates:

Door (locked) in a wall

Near Zarautz, there was a choice of routes:  Shorter, along a major road that did not have a shoulder or a longer, more difficult, pretty route that promised stunning views.  I opted for the latter and it was beautiful. That projection you see is called El Raton (The Mouse).  Isn't it cute?

A perfect first day: challenging but not impossible, one could not ask for better weather (makes all the difference) and my suitcase showed up a few minutes after I arrived at the hotel where my room was actually ready.  It feels good to start the re-org upon arrival, but, to be fair, what with having a phone there is plenty to do if one is exiled to the town square to wait.

Overbought at the local Eroski given that tomorrow it is unlikely that I will hit the "supermarket" near Deba before 1:00 when it closes and Sunday all the groceries at the destination will be closed (I checked), but will I really try to pack the jar of mayonnaise, the salmon pate, and the chips? At a bakery, I purchased yet another delicious pastry: a lemon meringue tart, which paired perfectly with my last nectarine and a cup of lemon-ginger tea.  

A note about "things:" I was not sure I would like the insulated Miir mug I brought along, but I do.  In fact, it is an item I would highly recommend: holds 16 oz, keeps the beverage hot (of cold if that is desired) has a lid to allow for steeping, and will not break in the suitcase. When not in use, it can also store two small stax containers!