THE PILGRIMAGE - DAY 13

18 May
Belated news - 24.45 miles cycled yesterday.
TODAY - 61.83 miles cycled ...... 'Dios Mio!'
Upon their departure this morning, Paul and Ben were immediately confronted with a very long, steep ascent and subsequently descended into the astoundingly beautiful Valley of Erro (bypassing Pamplona on the eastern side). This gave them the opportunity to revel in 21km of perfect scenery and pedalling. The valley ended at Urroz and, having crossed over the main highway, the heat (weather) intensified. En route they had seen many birds of prey and two very large vultures - whom they had the ....... nerve to name Pam and Jenny (after their long-suffering wives at home).
Paul, Ben's 'simpatico amigo' has developed a great regime for helping Ben not to fall off his bike when he comes to a halt. He rides in front, stops and stabilises Ben's bike when Ben comes steaming to a stop. Thus enabling Ben to dismount in a more dignified and much safer manner.
Paul - you are a rock for Benjamin. Muchas gracias!
Following a roadside lunch in the shade, our boys arrived in Puente la Reine where they refilled their water vessels and embarked upon another very steep climb. Yet again, the landscape was breathtaking and, on the horizon, they were able to see 10 different windfarms. The pedallers said that the sight of the windfarms was absolutely spectacular - a remark that they are fully aware may cause some controversy. They don't care - they're in Spain, pretending to be Don Quixote!
Their attention has been drawn to the marked difference in the terrains of France and Spain - the latter with less trees and more of a scorched appearance but, nontheless, as pleasing on the eye as France.
The pair of them are staying at a rather dubious b & b tonight - not 'bed and breakfast, but 'bed and bed bugs'. One or two of the offensive little bugs were spotted on Paul's bed - so I guess that it won't be very sweet dreams for those two pedallers tonight.
The town of their abode is Estella - steeped in history, very narrow old cobbled streets and a ban on traffic. They will be exploring the delights of the town after cena (dinner, for those who do not speak Spanish).
Guess who will be scratching tomorrow?

Jenny