Saturday August 25 Ayegui

Spanish supermarket

After hearing of a friend walking the Camino de Santiago and watching the film “The Way” before we came on holiday, we have become very interested in this pilgrimage. And were surprised to find that we are staying one road across from the Camino, and actually walked a short distance on it this afternoon as we visited the nearby monastery and winery.
Our first “adventure” this morning was going to our first Spanish supermarket, Mercadona in the neighbouring town. Being late on Saturday morning it was crowded but we had plenty of time as wanted to check out the different foods. We noticed the prices were cheaper than France, and there were so many different products we had not seen before. The fish department was an eye opener, it was really busy with a guy breaking down bonito and cutting steaks with a massive cleaver style knife and these were being snapped up. There was such a variety of different seafood available. Came across a counter with a number of dry cured hams, well we think that is what they were. A lady was cutting big pieces off for people. Found some interesting items in the deli shelves that we decided to try but not really sure what we were getting. (The dry chorizo type skinny sausage turned out to be really good!) Then it was a case of working out the brands of coffee, cereal etc that we were needing. And of course, the beer! But we managed successfully and it will become more familiar.
Did the Spanish siesta tradition after our late lunch, and good relaxing afternoon. The Bodegas Irache winery next to the monastery was open at 4pm and with the cooler temperatures today it was a very pleasant walk – along the Camino de Santiago! The pilgrims started the walk in the tenth century with the Irache monastery one of the oldest in Navarra province. The pilgrims brought new varieties of grapes to Navarra and the monks perfected their wine making techniques. This monastery acted as a hospital and a centre for assisting the pilgrims down through the ages, although since 1985 when there were no monks taking up the vocation it has been uninhabited. Today there is a lot of work being doing restoring it, we wandered through the old stone corridors and saw the cloister, quite beautiful but you can see the years taking its toll. Although the intricate stonework decoration is reasonably intact and very impressive. It all felt very serene and so quiet.
Back to the winery museum which was over three floors including a large cellar with very dusty bottles dating back to 1933, although we couldn’t see all the ages. We enjoyed a tasting and with the help of google translate were able to learn a bit. It has been a very relaxed day. Todays photos from my phone and my small Sony, a bit lazy!!! I have not posted a photo of me though!!! Had a bite on the bridge of my nose and this morning woke to very puffy, swollen eyes which then filled up the “bags” under them. Not a pretty sight. By tonight the swelling is reducing and might look a little better tomorrow. 

Ian thinks these are salt dried hams. Not sure.

The old monastery, undergoing repairs.

Beautiful decoration

A visit to the wine museum and cellar

I wonder what these taste like!