Day Eight: Bum Knees & Magic Wine

So it happened. The thing I swore when I left the states would never happen. The one thing I fought tooth and nail against. Cameron carried my backpack.

I caved! After a day and a half of rest my stubborn self pushed us along to the next phase of our journey. I could not and would not miss the infamous wine fountain of Irache. With or without a bum knee, I would drink from the fountain. Cameron is such a hunk.

He lugged my bag from Estella to Irache just so that I would not miss out on the healing effects of this wine. It says it right there below the spout- 'si quieres llegar a Santiago con fuerza y vitalidad de esta gran vino echa un trago y brinda por la felicidad.'

Thanks to this sweet nectar, we made it through a half day of vineyards and farmland into Monjardin- a deserted town atop a small mountain, resting below an abandoned castle- pretty right?!

We were two of three guests in the ghost town and were fortunate enough to have a host that offered us noodles and olive oil- all grocers and bars were closed.

The good news- we got there around 3pm, which allowed ample time for knee resting and Instagram searching. The bad news- we got there around 3pm, with all stores closed for the day, unable to walk and explore, rereading updates from our US friends who were awake at 7am posting pictures of their breakfast.

Sure wish the wine fountain was portable.