Saint Jean Pied de Port to Valcarlos

Walk: Saint Jean Pied de Port -> Valcarlos (7.01 miles)

It had been raining overnight but had stopped by first light. An early start for us. We’re on our way!

We managed to navigate the various options which kept us off the main road. We rested and refreshed at Arneguy where we crossed the border into Spain. The last hill up to the albergue at Valcarlos is a total killer! Started to rain just as we arrived, lucky or what!?

Nice bunch of people in at the albergue and they plied us with iced water which was very welcome. Met Leo from Atlanta.

Massive spider running around in the shower with me – I think everyone must have heard me scream.

Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago
Me (left) and P leaving Saint Jean
Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago
The municipal albergue, Valcarlos
Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago
Fantastic view from the municipal albergue at Valcarlos
Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago
And my watercolour sketch of the scene…
Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago
Cream-spot Tiger (Arctia villica) that I rescued from the doorway of the bar and put in a nearby plant pot.

Bordeaux to Saint Jean

Up and about early to get the train – managed to get our tickets from the machine no problem!

Bordeaux to Bayonne then an hours wait for the next train so we wandered off to get breakfast. Warm and blue sky – how wonderful to sit outside at a streetside cafe.

Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago

We travelled by train from Bayonne to Cambo les Bain then as the track was out for maintenance we were bussed up into the Pyrenees. Fab scenery!

Waited for the Pilgrim’s Office to open and spotted a Hummingbird Hawk-moth on a nearby flower. Sadly realised my camera was on the wrong setting to get a decent shot 🙁

Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago

Checked into the Pilgrim’s Office in Saint Jean Pied de Port – many pilgrims here of a whole variety of nationalities. Received our credencials (pilgrim’s passports, which we’ll need to get stamped every day that we walk) and our first stamp.

Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago

Explored a little and checked into Gite Ultreia. J went swimming in the river and we had a picnic tea.

Hebridean Imaging Yvonne Benting art photography western isles outer hebrides uist camino de santiago

After a few hours J realised that she couldn’t find the bag that she’d had earlier – it contained all their money! She kept calm and tried to think where she last had it. The Pilgrim’s Office so she dashed back up the hill and there it was still sitting on the desk where she’d left it. All the money still inside. Phew! More camino magic at work!

Late evening I sat by the church watching as the Crag Martins gathered in the dusk to roost.

There is a distinct air of expectation and anticipation in the air.

 

France

Not too early a start, caught the 10:50 EasyJet flight to Paris and all went smoothly – apart from realising after checking in that i’d left my iPhone charger plugged in at the hotel! Doh!

Had a couple of hours wait at Paris Charles de Gaulle before catching the TGV train to Bordeaux. We travelled first class as it was only four euros each extra 🙂

Saw the Eiffel Tower from the train!

Arrived Bordeaux around 20:40 and checked into the hotel – the same one I stayed at last time, the Aquitane, so we had no problem finding it – just a five minute walk from the station. A warm and balmy evening here. Lovely. A long day so we all had an early night.