Blogs from Navarre, Spain, Europe - page 7

24 August 2015, Monday Tasks to do in and from Pamplona We mention to Inigo that the bag has arrived as we confirm with a call to the ever so reliable Christina. Inigo says he will come by at 4 pm and we will drive to St. Jean to get the bag. He is at work. We are on our own today. The first order of business is to find a repair shop to get the upper part of Harlan's backpack straps re-sewed since one has almost come loose completely and the other has started. The first shop recommended by Inés say, " solamente zapatos" (shoes only), but gives us detailed directions to another. We leave the backpack about 0930 ( nothing opens in Spain before 0900 and it closes at 1200 until 1630. We had ... read more

Friday, August 21, St. Jean Pied de Port, France to Roncesvalles, Spain GPS 15.83 miles 9 hours walking, 4500 feet elevation gain? Arrived 1725 Harlan left on his Camino at 8:25. After breakfast we walked through the Market or Navarre gate, down to the church and through the traditional start of El Camino, the Notre Dame gate. It is a beautiful morning. The sunrise revealed mist over the pass, down the valley, toward which Harlan would soon be heading. I return and see the message that they, have indeed, sent our luggage off to Paris. This is all very mysterious as later today, upon arrival in Roncesvalles, Spain, there will be a text indicating a courier had picked up the bags for delivery. I do not know where he was headed! Part of the Paris snafu ... read more

we had a very nice stay in Romport close to the Dordogne but time told us to go. More deeper into France to a place called Pau. Very nice little place. There was a music Festival on at the time so we were pleasantly surprised at all the music we heard in the place. The old city where we stayed you were of course all small streets Liz went out to see where we could park. Yes there was an opening so we had a park close to our place of staying. We had an extra day here and that was worth it. The place is full with restaurants but you don't get anything to eat till 19.30. The next day we went with a little train through the place that gave you a good idea ... read more

Woke up to sun today. Was a little worried after I was awaken by a thunderstorm at 3 am. It's our first day of riding. Feeling a little anxious. We loaded our panniers ate breakfast at the cafe we visited yesterday and found the camino trail. The trail is marked with scallop shells and yellow arrows pointing towards Santiago. Biking is a little tricky because you have to slow down and really look hard for them. We've had to make a few u turns. As we begun are ascend the rain came down. I was warm from riding uphill so I didn't pull out the ponchos we had bought yesterday. The climb grueling. We had to stop and walk our bikes because the steep and slick terrain. Mike said I should start mountain biking. I guess ... read more

The day started out grey again. After saying goodbye to our new friends at La Perla Negra, Luzia, Phil and I set out for the day; hoping that the weather would hold out so that we could make up some mileage. We encountered a bit of rain, but noting like the day before. The hike today was relatively "flat" today which, in Spain, means no huge climbs like in previous days! We passed through a few small towns, bumping into fellow "pilgims" that we had met on previous days. We continued on to Los Arcos where we found a fantastic cafe in the town square. I must say the the coffee in Spain is AMAZING and very reasonably priced ($1.50/cup) and made "fresh" from espresso. We usually eat a bocadillo (sandwich) and/or a piece of tortilla ... read more