Normal life is as distant as the chilly winds of the Pyrenees now. It seems impossible that only one week ago I was climbing through a hole in the perimeter fence of Biarritz airport, to save a kilometer of walking. Yep, pretty dumb, I know! One of the great things of the Camino is that … Read more
I’ve had another awesome day, on The Way! I started at 7.30am, but almost immediately stopped off for breakfast. As per usual, I was the last person to leave my dormitory. I walked with quite a few different people today, but most of the afternoon was spent in the company of two lovely ladies, one … Read more
I am sitting in a lovely garden of the main Albergue in gorgeous Puente La Reina. It’s quite surreal because white fluffy stuff from the trees is snowing down on me. I’ve had a splendid day and the 24 plus kms seem easy, guess I am getting a little fitter. I left around 8am from … Read more
Firstly, this update might be a little short, mainly due to there being lots to see in Pamplona, but also some video editing too. I started a little later today, well 1hr 15 later to be precise. I had pre-booked a very swanky albergue here in Pamplona, so felt no rush. The albergue is so … Read more
Here I am at the Albergue Municipal in the charming little industrial village of Zubiri. The municipal albergues are the most basic of pilgrim accommodation, which are run by the local council, but also have a reputation for being the most sociable. For a mere €8 or £6, you are provided with a bed, bathroom, … Read more
I am sitting here with an Estrella Galicia beer under a hot Spanish sun. Just a few hours ago I was in a bleak, windswept landscape, high in the French Pyrenees. A small reptile, not much bigger than a gecko, is inches from my foot. Like me searching for shade, but all I can do … Read more
So here I am again in the charming little town of St Jean Pied de Port. The day started off at the Ibis Budget in Anglet, then a short bus ride to the Gare de Bayonne. After waiting in line for 30 mins to buy a train ticket, I learned that there was no train … Read more
How suddenly these things come around. It seems like an age since I initially planned this trip to Southwest France and across Spain, but in fact it was hatched just two months ago, in a Ho Chi Minh City hotel. I have spent a week buying and replacing gear, and just realized my sleeping bag … Read more
This time in two weeks I will be sitting in the grande surrounds of an IBIS Budget Hotel in the French town of Bayonne. Between now and then I have a huge to do and buy list. In fact, the list isn’t even complete yet. I flew back to the UK from Indonesia last Wednesday, … Read more
This will not be the first time I have set foot on the most famous Camino of them all, the Camino Frances (or French Way). I have actually been on the Camino twice before, completing just a third. The first time was from St Jean Pied de Port to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. I … Read more