What a day!

Today was everything that I had hoped this journey on the Camino to be.  Life is good, even with sore feet.

Left St Jean Pied de Port at 7:30 as planned.  Freddie and I met at a place that opened early to get a pilgrim lunch as we had been told that there were few places on our 15 mile walk/hike to get food and water today.  Sun doesn’t rise until about 7:30 so the first bit was walked with clouds, mist and fog.

There are some photos here that can barely capture the beauty of the landscape as the fog and mist sat in the valleys and we climbed above.  We were headed through the Pyrenees at a pass at 4,910 feet, so were often above the clouds.  Passed through fields of corn and pastures of long horn sheep, cows, bulls, goats and horses.  You could hear the bells around their necks even if you couldn’t see them.  It was a long climb — about 10 miles of the total 15 for the day were uphill.  The sky cleared and it was sunny and hot and humid, but somehow the beauty of the surroundings made it all ok.

I met some wonderful people and walked with many of them for long stretches.   Bill the Congregational minister and his brother Jimmy had brought little chairs along so that when it got time for a break then had something to sit on.  May, who was trying to bike the route, but had a heavy mountain bike with loaded panniers, and ended up hiking with a bike!  And two who stuck with my Swedish friend and I, Mary from Ireland and Johnny from Germany.  We all struggled through a tricky downhill into Roncevalles and celebrated with a beer at the end.  And while clearly I’m not of the medical profession my signature phrase has become “I’m not a nurse but I play one on the Camino”, as I have a pack full of blister bandages and moleskin, and I’m finding many on the road with need of my help!

Tomorrow should be easier and shorter (the climb and downhill was not easy today), and after a night in a more luxurious setting than I had in St. Jean it should be another wonderful experience.

Having photo share issues between iphone and ipad tonight… had hoped to share some pics, but it’s not cooperating, and I’ve got to get to sleep, so will try to post them in the morning or sometime tomorrow.  Headed off early to Zubriri.

Adios!