Day zero - Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port
Friday May 20, 2022
Today we made it to the start of our Camino in the sense of the actual journey on foot. We've made it through the mental preparation and the very real physical preparation in New Zealand - the long walks, the daily wanders.
We've travelled from New Zealand to Canada, some long walks there too, but nothing too arduous.
For the past few days we've been in Bayonne. Today we boarded a train and headed south. Unfortunately there's some work on the lines, so we were moved onto a bus at Cambo Les Baines and arrived by road. We were here in good time - mid-morning, but our hotel/hostel didn't open until 3pm, so we mooched around all day.
Our hotel is good and especially so given breakfast is at 6.30am, so tomorrow our journey starts with a 25km walk across the Pyrenees at the fine hour of 7am.
We did our trick of slipping off to the supermarket for prepared meals, beer and wine. It's a little antisocial, but we're not yet on the Camino, where meals are essential social occasions - a chance to eat different food and meet other pilgrims. Until we start our walk, we're very happy with our own company and have a preference for economy.
An interesting night - there was loud music and over-excited conversation from nearby until after 1am, when it suddenly ceased, only to be followed by the rattle of bottles and cans being poured into a bin and then even later still by odd outbursts of conversation until 3am or later. It was very hot, so sleep was elusive, especially with the knowledge that the alarm was set for 5.45am and with breakfast at 6.30.
We were up and ready. Our host greeted us and immediately asked if we had slept through the music. Turns out he had gone outside soon after 1am to the bar next door and told them to bugger off or he'd called the police. All those innocent happy dancers - their pleasure dashed in an instant. On the other hand - selfish bastards.
And so, we arrived at the start of our Camino.
We walked the Camino in 2016. Looking forward to pics and blurbs. You will love it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the walk over the Pyrenees. I crossed with a full pack and neglected to take water at the top and got a bit de hydrated by the time i got to the Monastery. Travel safely.
ReplyDelete