<p>September 16<br>
The highlight of this portion of the Camino is Alto del Perdón, the Hill of Forgiveness.  As we leave Pamplona, it looms ahead of us, large wind turbines spiking up along the ridge line.</p>
<p>Outside the city, rolling hills of fields form the view.</p>
<p>Paddington makes new friends--wee snails that cling to weeds lining the path, which at first I mistook for delicate white flowers.</p>
<p>The ruins of Guenduláin palace dominate the hills between the last suburb of Pamplona and Alto del Perdón.</p>
<p>Walking to Alto del Perdón is much like climbing Pikes Peak. You get closer, it looms larger but seems always beyond reach.</p>
<p>Another unfortunate boot. But where is its mate? Why was it left behind?</p>
<p>Along the ascent--which is brutal in that it is long, steep at points, and often rocky terrain--is the lovely village of Zariquiegui is the perfect place to break for lunch. There is a grocery store, which only qualifies because it is an actual structure. Three people definitely crowd it. However, the owner is very friendly and makes great tortillas. A tortilla in Spain is like fritatta. We enjoy tortilla sandwiches in the shady landscaping across the street.
After making the climb, you deserve the view at the top. Unfortunately, we have to wait for a busload of people milling about to admire the pilgrim monument featured in The Way.
The descent is rather gruelling. Again we pick our way along a very rocky, sometimes steep path. When we reach Obanos, we decide to call it a day.
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