5 May 2023

Markina to Guernica/Pozueta

Stage: 5

Walked: 33,53 km

Planned: 24,7 km

Steps: 48,196

The fifth stage, supposedly from Markina to Guernica, took me instead to Pozueta.  I left the Albergue de Peregrinos very early for what promised to be my first, very long walk of 30 km. This was perhaps the most scenic of all walks so far, stretching across dense, green forests mainly. From perfectly man-made  wooden stairs in the middle of the woods, to creeks and lots of insects and wildlife, the arrival to Guernica was a happy, grateful one. The convent and Albergue in Guernica was closed until further notice. I wasn’t feeling tired, physically or mentally and after a wonderful snack and war-debate with an Ukranian employee at a restaurant, I was ready for 4 or 5 kilometers more to Pozueta. The climb to Pozueta was rough as I started to feel what seemed like very-hot spots on my soles.  The hot, painful spots turned out to be blisters.  I cleaned up, washed my clothes and rested well. I did not cure the blisters and let them air and evolve through the night. Dinner was at the albergue with other pilgrims.