The most obvious thing about the demographics on the Camino, is how many women there are. Many of them travelling alone, like me, and many of them coming from the US, Canada, Australia and N. Z. where it is not so easy to find out how things work, particularly sim cards. 

I met Jessica in the queue at Biarritz, lots of women at Orisson on the first  night. I then saw Connie and Betty (US and Canada) at Espinal, then shared a ,'dorm' with Nancy (Ontario), Holly (Ohio), and Dominique (St Malo) last night. We had dinner together, which worked well, as my French seems to have survived 5 years of rust, and Nancy was born in Quebec. 

My theory is that the Camino is a reasonably 'safe' adventure. Other women today have been less complimentary about men. I shall not comment. 

Today started as a damp autumn tramp through the suburbs of Pamplona and then through the city. It was quite nice to leave it behind, but given I am just flowing my nose and not researching the route, I was a bit surprised by the big lump of rock that had to be crossed. The autumn morning turned into a 30 deg summers day. The latter part of the morning and the afternoon was a very hot up and down. 

I bumped into a lovely group of 4 women from County Down at lunch time, Aedin, Felicia, Monica and Helen. They took the photo at the top of the hill. I am now in Puento la Reina. BJS stats, 30 km and about 350 m elevation, but it felt a lot more. It will be another hot day tomorrow. Tonight I am waiting for my supper. It is a bit busy. I will return to Forrest Gump.