After wrapping up two weeks running an Albergue in the middle of the Camino Frances, we left for Saint Jean Pied de Port, the traditional start of that Camino route. Ten years ago, on our first Camino Frances we could not take the high—or Napoleonic route—because it was snowed in when we walked in April. This year the snow is long gone and we took that path, often known as the hardest section of the Camino. We broke it up by hiking up four kilometers to a French gite, or hostel, where we enjoyed a great meal and camaraderie with pilgrims from France, Italy, and the United States. The gite, Ferme Ithurburia, is one of the most comfortable places we stayed at on any of our seven previous caminos.
The next day we climbed the Pyrenees passing through forests and pastures, reveling in the energy of the people around us, many of whom were on their very first Camino. Click on the link below to enjoy Laurie’s Relive video to get a sense of the difficult, but fun day.
https://www.relive.com/view/vE6JDgeDJgv
As I mentioned in my last post, we are going to update less frequently on this Camino because we want to enjoy the experience more, and write less.
Suffice it to say that our first eight days was a smorgasbord of the Camino. We transitioned through the Pyrenees and Basque Country into the Rioja wine region. Summer pastures gave way to vineyards and farm country. And we made many friends in our daily walks and group dinners.
The bars and cafes that serve pilgrims in small towns are often family run and two year olds run free with the family pets—one of which bore a warning as you can see from the picture below.
Detour Ahead
However, we have run into a serious detour on our journey across Spain to Santiago—but that’s a story for tomorrow in Part 2 of 2.
Just checking in…and so very happy for you two! Thanks for including us.
Great to have you two with us
Dennis