Day 2 - A more relaxing day

Roncesvalles to Zubiri (22 km)
Another great pilgrim meal last night; pasta and salad to start followed by whole trout and patatas fritas (chips) Washed down with all the red wine you want. A nice yoghurt and fruit for desert , (all for 8 euros)
Had a good nights sleep (best for a long time) Up at 0600 and out the door by 0640, a chilly morning with light rain in the air. I walked alone for most of the day and am relaxing nicely after the trepidation of yesterday has worn off.
Much more gentle hills today and great walks through pine forest and lush green fields with cream coloured cows and many coloured flowers and birds. Not all is wonderful though; I have been in three countries in the last three days and I haven't had a crap yet! About 7km before Zubiri (where I am staying tonight) I met up with Eddie from South Africa again (we started together). Apparently he had a really bad night's sleep and hasn't been off the bog much since yesterday; I should be glad with my plight. Anyway, Eddie and I marched along together at a cracking pace, me happy to be walking in the Spanish air and mountains and him wondering whether he would make it to town without disappearing behind the next tree!
We both made it into Zubiri as the church bells rang for one o'clock Eddie rushed off somewhere and I met with Paul from Amsterdam who I met yesterday. After consulting my guide book we booked into the Zaldiko Hostel which is small, clean and friendly. We were forced to have a beer (cannot remember by whom) and after showering and changing we gave our washing to the owner who washes and tumble dries it for us. As I lie on my bunk typing up this blog someone calls out "Hello Ian, fancy seeing you here!" It is Gina from Norway who walked over the Pyrenees with me yesterday. It is amazing that with all this space you keep seeing the same faces. I also keep meeting a group of four young Koreans who do not stop talking and photograph everything that moves (and most things that don't.)

I have just booked a table for our Pilgrims Meal tonight in a lively bar round the corner. Fortunately my Dutch and Norwegian is coming along nicely.

 
Here are a few photos from today.
Tomorrow is on to Pamplona (where they do the bull runs)

Still alive after the first day

Wow, that was an experience! Fantastic accommodation last night. First we had a great three course meal and wine then a glass of port. Next was a professional musician and singer who is walking the camino and has brought her ukelele along for the ride. All for 20 euros including a bed for the night, breakfast and a substantial packed lunch for today. Also thrown in was free entry to the international Pyrenees snoring event of 2012. I did not take part but was one of the judges.

I started walking about 7am. It was downhill for the first 200 metres and then in the direction of up for about 23 kilometres. Then almost vertically down for the last 9 kms.

It started very warm and sunny and then the wind picked up near the top to around 60 mph (blowing into our faces of course) then we had some rain for about 45 mins but luckily the predicted thunderstorm passed behind us and stayed in France as we entered Spain.
The views are absolutely amazing. I will have to copy some photos from the camera later as only took a few from the iPhone.
Saw a dead sheep all bloated in the sun that was hit by a car this morning. Also someone dislocated a knee and had to be rescued and an elderly Irish woman fell in a hole and had to be recovered by taxi; have just seen her in the bar nursing a very large brandy. I made it over without any major events but will need a new left hip tomorrow.
The converted monastery we are in tonight is fantastic (10 euro), I have just booked my Pilgrims meal for 8 euro.
Enough for now as a beer awaits.
Ian (knackered but happy) Vincent-Spall.

Packed and ready to go!

My backpack is now sorted (packed and repacked about 7 times)
All travel arrangements checked, weather forecasts investigated and spare pair of pants purchased!
Wendy has just cut off all my hair to reduce weight and make me go faster.

The train leaves Havant station at 07:06 on Wednesday morning to get me to Stansted for 12:15 flight to Biarritz. An overnight stay in St Jean Pied de Port and then an early start on Thursday morning over the Pyrenees into Spain.
Getting a bit excited now.
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My backpack with scallop shell and hat

Planning for my Camino

In June I am going on a bit of a walk....
I will fly down to Biarritz in the South of France and then on to St Jean Pied de Port. After a good night's sleep I will get up early and start my Camino....
The first day is to cross the Pyrenees into Spain and stay the night in Roncesvalles.
The next day is similar; get up early, walk, eat, sleep...... and repeat until I arrive in Santiago de Compostela.