Bilbao to Pobena

Wow, what a day.

We got up about 8, 2 hours later than we planned, but we were both really tired.  Felt we needed the sleep.

Got breakfast at hotel, 4 € each, a bargain.   Headed out at 930.

Used guidebook to get to edge of town and on to Pobena.  At about 1230 we stopped for break.   We'd completed 5.84 miles.  Had lemonade, an orange,  and nuts for break.  Loved seeing lots of kids with families, grandparents  at the park.   Bilbao, like many European cities was mostly apartments.  Small city parks pulled families together for socializing.

Afternoon we hit our turning point to cross waterway, Las Arenas,  mechanical bridge, first in the world,  that ferried across autos and people, hung from tall iron bridge. 

Trail from Las Arenas to Pobena  wasn't  marked well, we had a few issues staying on trail.  

Had a very personal experience with dirty old Spaniard, too personal and very weird.

Today, our first day on trail seemed very long, but very beautiful.  We walked into Pobena  at about 7pm.  17.7 miles for the day.  Very tired, feet hurting and ready for rest.

The albergue system on the trail is first come, first serve.  It was full at 3pm today, according to some peregrinos we talked to on beach.   September is normally a low traffic time of year.  Pobena albergue has 22 beds, we didn't have chance, so we got apartment at $70 for both of us.  Has washer, so we are taking advantage of that.

Ate dinner next door, hamburger, fries, wine, then Sangria.   24€ for 2 of us.

Amazingly enough, we were alone on the trail all day. No other walking peregrinos (pilgrims ) at all.  We were passed on the trail by a couple on bikes, which is an option, but not my preferred method.

Our evening destination was small village of Pobena,  wonderful family community.

Tomorrow is about 9 miles, after today, that is piece of cake.

Day One Done!

I've attempted to add photos, but it won't upload them.  I'll have load photos later.  Sorry.