So, it’s my right knee.

These things happen. How? I have no idea. I wasn’t jumping fences or rock hopping.

I mean, this is the Camino, right?

I was just walking.

I first felt the shooting pain on the side of my right knee as I left Roncevalles yesterday. Like the minute I stepped onto the Camino path.

It was the kind you could ignore for a long time. Until you couldn’t.

About that time my new Camino friend Kadi noticed the limping and reached into her bag for Advil and arnica salve.

One or the other or both worked miracles.

We arrived in Zubiri with new friends from Kansas City and I was feeling no pain.

Kadi gave me a couple more Advil to get through the night.

This morning started off with a dull but ignorable pain. By the time I reached the popular cafe stop, La Parada de Zuriain, their business was booming and so was my knee.

Up pops my friend Kadi with more Advil and arnica — just enough to get me to Pamplona.

Almost.

About 20 minutes from the cathedral, my left toe started to burn.

That’s a red light. It says, “Stop, fool, before you get a blister!”

As I sat on the bench wondering what to do, my friends from Kansas City walked by. Of course they had anti-blister salve.

We all walked into Pamplona like it was the Emerald City. Almost skipping.

Earlier, on the advice of several people, I stopped into a pharmacy along the Camino and picked up a knee brace. The had a whole display case filled with knee braces.

Do they do a booming business?

You better believe it.

Here’s another example of Camino Magic: At 10:30 pm, the owner of the auberge tapped me on the shoulder as I slept and handed me a bag containing my wallet, my passport, and a few other essentials.

I had left it outside in the backyard while hanging laundry up. Didn’t even notice.

One more nice surprise. I had my bag shipped ahead this morning because of my knee. Instead of seven euros, all I had was a twenty to stuff in the envelope. I sort of kissed it goodbye.

Sure enough, my bag was right by the front door at Auberge Cathedral and the proper change was in the envelope.

None of the knee problems diminished the beauty of today’s walk. Mostly through forest and fields, with a brisk finish through through the city.

There were ups and downs like a roller coaster, but nothing overly demanding on this third day. Knee issues aside, I find myself charging up hills like Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders.

Not usually my style. But I’ll take it!

I’m right across the square from the cathedral, nicely located.

With the help of Google translate, my French companions just told me there is a free concert in front of town hall in one hour.

Hate to eat and run but, enjoy the photos until I get back.

Music in the streets!

Tonight in Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Pamplona presented the 8th Alarde de Jóvenes Txistularis, titled Geurea. It’s a free outdoor concert featuring young txistularis-traditional Basque/Navarrese musicians— from music schools and the conservatory, along with other young performers.

It was sensational.