Day 2: Along the Pyrenees

The crossing to Roncesvalles was 6-7 hours, started at 7:00 AM & took me 13 1/2 hrs. The last 8 km. was to be only 2 1/2 hrs. But the terrain was too steep as it got to Roncesvalles. I was the last one the mountain at 8:30 PM. It was good that there was still light. The big Albergue was full so I had to sleep in the overflow area in a trailer with 4 bunk beds, 6 women & 1 man. 

I met Ty Wheeler & his family. The 3 year old was riding a car shaped stroller. He took my pack & took it down the last 1 km, which was so great at it was getting dark. He asked if I can send him pictures as his camera was out.

Had dinner at La Posada, Pilgrim menu, 1st course was pasta with cheese, main course was fish & dessert was yogurt. This was in the movie The Way. 

At breakfast, the woman who served the cafe con leche was in the picture with Martin Sheen & the Spanish actress who was the hospitalera.

With 1 year Los Olivia from Australia at a drinking fountain along the way to Zubiri

Ursula from Germany has a luggage carrier, her " donkey", she gave my pack a lift till we got to this water drainage. She went up the road & I crossed on top of these concrete blocks

Buen Camino,
Josie

Day 1: My First Refugio

After landing in Biarritz, I met 3 Canadians, Marlene from Alberta & her sister Eileen & her friend Ola are from Manitoba. I asked if it is OK maybe I can walk with them, they said Yes. They are staying in a hotel in SJPDP & will stay overnight at a hotel in Orrison, about 3 hours walk from SJPDP. I was thinking of doing it but the hotel was full.

At the Pilgrim's Office, I met a young Japanese woman also looking for a Refugio. We teamed up & we got a private room for just us, E17.00 for bed & breakfast. Not bad. So I told her she could be my daughter, she only has her Mom in Nagoya, Japan. We bought Jamon Serrano, cheese, water, bread, fruits for our dinner & lunch tomorrow. We walked over the bridge & had our picnic dinner by the river. it was so nice, just lovely. Our laundry did not dry so tomorrow we may have to pin them on our backpack & let good old sol dry them.

The hospitalero was nice to give us some tips, sip water every 10 min. 2-3 liters/day, eat the food while hot when we stop at a cafe/ restaurant in Spain & always start with a good breakfast. He also talked about getting to Really know yourself while on the Camino, it is soul searching, talking to yourself, what you want to do, what you have done in your life. As everyone has said " it is your Camino, you are doing it for yourself & not for others, & it quite remarkable the change it brings to your life. "

I am thinking now that this will be a very humbling experience! Humility, it is a virtue right?

It is 9 PM, time to hit the sack.

BUEN Camino,
Josie

My Camino

The Pilgrim's Office at St. Jean Pied de Port

The Church at 8:30 PM

Crossing the Pyrenees. I am above the cloud or fog. So peaceful & absolutely beautiful...

My 1st fountain to refill and shed my clothes as it was hot!

The Virgen de Orisson

Buen Camino,
Josie

So far, so good...

All went well at LHR, my AA seat 20J got me out of the plane fast. Instead of Terminal 5, we landed at Terminal 3. Oh! No! all my info on how to get to Stansted Airport was from T5. But as good luck was with me, T3 was the area where I get the National Express Bus, no bus transfer needed from T5 to T3. Also I got on the 7:45 AM even better than the 8:30. Good omen, a good start for my Camino. God is with me all the way.

BUEN Camino,
Josie

Trying on my gears

My old garden wide-brimmed hat that will be burned when I get to Muxia/Finisterra as an offering, convertible quick drying UV shirt & pants, backpack & front pack to carry water, coins, snacks, binocular, IPad & poncho in case it rains suddenly.

I am so proud of this poncho I sewed. Thanks to Prescy who told me about the water repellent
Fabric on sale at Vogue at $1.49/yard. I attached a belt so that if I am walking into the rain, I can tie the belt to prevent the poncho from flapping.

Voila!....Tied to the front, the back is secure to keep my backpack dry

If the rain is on my back, I tie it around over the front so no flapping in the wind. I will wear my trusted hat under the hood to stop the rain from hitting my face (maybe).

A Filipina Hunchback from Lemont, USA. Via Con Dios! 

BUEN Camino,
Josie

Explanation of my test run

Dear Family & Friends,

Guess I did not make it clear that I was trying on the raincoat & poncho for when it rains on a day I am walking. It is not for all the days I will be walking. There's a poncho, brand name ALTUS, that can be bought in St. Jean Pied de Port for Euro 50, about $70.00. It covers me & the poncho in one piece. Well, when I am in London & it drizzles or rain, I thought the raincoat will be a better option than a poncho. I have a perfectly fine raincoat I can wear. The poncho is really more to keep my Backpack dry. There's a Backpack cover I can buy or as someone on the Camino had suggested a garbage bag will do the job, too. 

Dennis is so game hosing me down & really put the hose on full blast. It worked, my backpack was dry & the contents. 

The average temp in Spain for Sept. Is 60-70 F & 50-60 F in October. It will be cool enough for walking. I actually will have to take a fleece jacket for the early morning walk as it will be colder. 

Thanks for all the thoughts & concern about my well being. 

Josie

The Rain in Spain Stays Mainly in the Plain

Ok, it might look weird to you guys, but I was testing my theory that wearing my raincoat with my whole gear & the plastic poncho covering everything will keep me dry... IT WORKED!!!

I need a raincoat almost for sure when I go to London in October as it always drizzles or rain there. Dennis was suppose to hose me down & he did except he couldn't take the picture at the same time. 

I only have a week to go & I am excited but also anxious about my new adventure.

Please pray for me that I can finish this Camino. I will take my IPad so that is how I can let everyone know how I am doing. I also have an International phone (thanks to Lois).

BUEN CAMINO,
Josie