Today we picked up the leg to Burguete. A tough day. More great vistas across the Pyrenees. The price for the great views was a lot of uphill climbing.
Crossing into Spain
The price continues to be paid on the steep trail down to Roncesvalles
Made it to Roncesvalles
Easy few miles to Burguete – Dinner and bed
In cities it seems everyone speaks English. That is not the case in rural Spain.
Our plan is to start the Camino tomorrow. Part of the plan is to skip the greater portion of the first day route. The first day is notorious for being one of the hardest days of the entire trip. I was going to skip this adventure – I am pushing 80 after all. We did not want to cheat ourselves out of this experience. So, today we walked the greater part of the first day’s route – to the Albergue at Orisson. That was an early idea that bit us. It was a killer. Up – up – up.
Taking the high speed TGV train as far as Beyonne then changing to a local to St Jean.
Well, it’s a high speed train as far as Bordeaux. Then the train slows. Like the Acella going through Connecticut. The urban landscape changes quickly to a sprawling agricultural plain after we leave Paris.
Near Bordeaux there starts to be signs of venticulture. Also noticeable is the limestone that is, I understand, important for raising wine grapes.
Made it to Bayonne. Had a little lunch and got on the train.
It is amazing to us to see all the people who smoke and vape in Europe, even in restaurants. Maybe they think they are sophisticated but they are just stinky.
Made it to Saint Jean Pied de Port.
Saw my first Camino marker
This is the arch that is the traditional start of the Camino
We took this photo of the arch on the way back to the hotel from dinner. Unlike Paris, Saint Jean Pied de Port closes up early
This has been a full day indeed.
Went to a Patisserie near our hotel.
Strolled down the Champs Elysees
We took a cruise down the Seine
Had to spend a little time at the Eiffel Tower
Early dinner at a place that a friend of Jim suggested
Took the Metro to Montparnasse
Came back to the hotel and relaxed
Made it to Paris.
Got through French immigration
Ubered to hotel
Had lunch
Crashed
After a couple hours we ventured out.
Stopped at a local place for Happy Hour
We will have an early night tonight
This afternoon we started our adventure. The first leg is a flight to Paris where we have plans to stay two nights.
Got to the airport with plenty of time to spare.
We even had time for a Leopold’s Ice cream
Delta to Detroit then Air France to Paris.
Just made it to the next plane, now off to Paris.
I’ll post again tomorrow.
Hoping that we will have everything ready for tomorrow’s departure.
Battle of the cell phones: Tina has always been an iPhone user; I am an Android user. For this trip the differences widened. Although we both have changed to Mint mobile for mobile network we have elected to take different approaches while in Europe. Tina is using Minternational and I will be using Orange Travel.
Minternational is a prepaid international roaming add on. Tina can download a number of passes each good for ten days.
Orange Travel is a separate French sim card that is good for Europe. I have to load an eSim card, turn off my Mint Mobile eSim. I will also have a French phone number (OOO- LA LA).
So far I think Tina is willing the battle of the cell phones.
I think we are ready.
I am sure that I am missing a bunch of stuff
And, for anyone following this blog, I promise to start adding photos. That being said I can’t resist adding a photo.
A couple months ago Tina was visiting New England and I was home in South Carolina. About 6:00 am I heard a pounding on the front door. I checked the Ring camera and didn’t see anything. Another pounding. I opened the door and saw this guy.
What started as a good day hit a wall. Did a couple miles around Hampton Hall then stopped at the gym. All good
Originally this post had details of a challenging day. I deleted it because nobody wants to hear about it. And, I don’t want to see it.
OK! No more complaining.
Over the past few years after I walked the Camino Portuguese I talked about it so much that Tina suggested that we walk the Camino Frances together. For better or worse, that is what we are planning to do. The date of departure is next week. That is not to say that we have not done a bunch of prep.
Stuff started:
I did have one disappointment. I bought some fancy Tevas as an alternative to the trail runners. I have found that I need an alternative from time to time.
But, now that the trip is on the horizon, I am getting some butterflies. What have I not done and what do I need to do that I didn’t consider. In the words of the Ploughman Poet:
But Och! I backward cast my e’e,
On prospects drear!
An’ forward, tho’ I cannot see,
I guess an’ fear!
Tina will tell you that I like nothing more that to bore people to tears reciting “Rabbie Burns”
Now is the time we need to get serious
Things done:
Things to be done:
I have to remember “The Camino will provide”
This promises to be a clear sunny day in the high 80’s. It will be a great day to do a little more exploring around Aiken then motor home.
But first, breakfast:
Aiken is the location of Hopeland Gardens. This is a large park like area with numerous walking trails.
It is also the location of the thoroughbred racing museum
Backpacking Bill 