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Published: September 13th 2014
Hi Folks, well here I am trying a second time to publish a blog. I do not know where the other went too.
Anyway, I am here in Pamplona with 3 days serious walking behind me. I am thankful for airconditioning and a bath. The weather has been mild to hot, with no rain; although I understand the closer we get to Santiago the more chance of rain.
Let me recap what I had talked about in my previous blog.
My trip on Air France was excellent, I had sent a text to Lisa M saying we were an hour late taking off, but the text did not go. The reason, we were already in the air for an hour, I had missed take off and fallen asleep.
4 days wandering Paris was a delight; Roger (my aussie friend), explored the city by open deck bus, then at night sailed the Seine river which was magnificent, we walked endlessly, and had a jolly good time.
A train ride first class through the French countryside is an ideal way to relax. We traveled to Bayonne, caught a local train, then a bus to St. Jean our starting point for the walk. Aclimating ourselves the next day was a joy in such a quaint historic township. It is a walled city that today serves as a tourist attraction, but also the starting point for a 500 mile pilgrimage. As you can imagine the place is full of people from different places all excited about discovering more about them selves as they journey.
The first day was gruelling & arduous; a climb of 4700ft, with every turn steeper than the last, a never ending ascent until finally the last 3 hours were downhill over shale & rock slipping/sliding, torturing your feet. I thought I would die on the journey (some have, monuments are testament to that). Praise the Lord I made it, but I have never been so glad to fall into bed. A rest day followed, then onto another little easier 22km section into the town of Zibiri where we stayed in a pension (like a private home). The discussion around the meal table was varied, exciting, and very pleasant as 8 people exchanged views on everything you could think of - much amidst broken Engllsh, because wd don't speak french or spanish.
Today has been a very pleasant jaunt through less hilly country, along verdant green river banks, tree covered paths, and beautiful farmland. A highlight was stopping for lunch at this outdoor eatery for pizza made on the spot in open air ovens - delicious.
There are hundreds of people walking, we acknowledge most, and speak to numerous sojourners, many who are fabulous to talk too. Met a father and daughter doing the Camino simply to kep in touch with each other. She is in 3rd year University. Jobs are very scarce in Spain, so her desire would be to immigrate to USA.
Then there was the jovial old guy from Switzerland, who has walked 500 miles on this trip, bug previously walked 2800 kms from Russia. He has a business in his home country. There were also the two elderly brothers from Italy walking together, one now lives in Melbourne Australia, so we spoke endlessly of my home country.
It is a very trying walk which today ended in Pamplona (running of the bulls fame). I am so appreciative of your prayers for my body to maintain a semblance of dignity as I walk; I had no idea I am as old as I feel today. However, a relax in the bath and a good meal will liven me again for the next stage (I think :-))
Love to all. Daryl
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Home and Away
Bob Carlsen
Buen camino...
I'm looking forward to Following your journey along that Way. I hope to walk the Way in two years, although my wife is highly doubtful whether this is a good idea. Any chance you can post a few pictures?