For those of you scoring along at home, on Friday I walked from Roncesvalles to Zubiri.
Saturday to Pamplona and attended mass at the Cathedral.
Today (Sunday) to Puente La Reina.
More details and observations to come - when I'm not so tired (could be a while.)
Got an early start Wednesday and climbed up the Pyrenees from St. Jean. Very misty and soupy atmosphere. Visibility was poor - I could hear cowbells all around but couldn't see the livestock.
Despite all the PT to get ready the Pyrenees still kicked my butt. I decided to follow la esposa's advice so I stopped in Orisson, France to break the climb into two days. Feasted on Roast Pork, potato soup & red wine then retired to my petit bunk bed.
Today I did the big climb over the top into Spain after stopping to drink from la Fontaine du Roland at the border.
The views on the hike were amazing; along the way I dodged unfettered sheep, goats & cattle.
Tonight I'm @ the albergue attached to the local monastery. Preparing to attend my first pilgrim's mass as I write this.
Tomorrow will be mostly downhill Deo gratias.
Posting from the TGV on the way to the South of France
Survived the much dreaded coach seat on the flight over. Delighted to see two old friends S. & A. on the flight who were on the way to Normandy to compete in an equestrian event.
Paris was cool and rainy and I'm sure I was even more conspicuous than usual in my summery and very americain attire.
Despite the assurances of the Information Desk madamoiselle the Air France bus to Gare Montparnasse failed to deliver me on time to catch my train. But I'm slowly learning to let go of my obsessive need to control and plan. Not a bad lesson for day 1.
In the mean time I was able to enjoy some mozzarella & roquette sur la pouce for lunch, along with some highly appropriate San Pellegrino before catching the next train.
The French have been very helpful and tolerant of my non-francophone and clueless self but I'm looking forward to crossing over to Spain where at least I can fight through some basic dialogue in the local tongue.
