This hardly counted as a walk, to be honest. I gave myself permission to lie in, and so didn't leave the hostel much before eight. I was joined early on by Martin, an ex-prison governor from Milton Keynes, and together we shared a pleasant flat stroll through suburbs which brought us to the hefty and …
Continue reading Camino Stage 6: Day 11 – Villava to Pamplona.
Yesterday evening was convivial with other pilgrims, in fact, probably a bit too convivial. I realised it was time to go bed when I led the entire terrace in a rousing rendition of "Oh, Canada!". Anyway, I went straight to sleep for eight and a half hours, and awoke feeling remarkably spry! The old bridge …
The day started before dawn with breakfast at 06:30. With my walking companions, Jackie and Simon, we had left SJPdP by 07.20. Normally, I would have considered this a very bad thing, but today was a particular day of challenge! Through the Virgin's Gate early The old town of SJPdP is really very small, and …
Continue reading Camino Stage 6: Day 8 – Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles
Dawn in Saint-Palais The hostel in Saint-Palais had been a Franciscan friary until 2005 when the last friars left. It was taken over by the municipality and comprehensively upgraded (new cloister constructed besides other improvements). Use is now shared between the municipal tourist office, a museum of Basque history and the pilgrims hostel. In the …
Continue reading Camino Stage 6: Day 6 – Saint-Palais to Ostabat-Asme
Planning for my next stage of the Camino de Santiago
Last night was wrapped in the deep silence of the countryside, with only the sound of rain. I woke to a brighter morning and, after breakfast, was on the road by 8.15am. I had agreed to walk with Annie, whom I had met on the road on Tuesday. She had lodged at the same place, …
Continue reading Camino Stage 5: Day 5 – Bourriot-Bergonce to Roquefort
From The Quire 