Relaxed morning in Bayonne after a brilliant nights sleep, we slept for about 11 hrs, amazing. Perhaps it was the early start or more likely the wonderful wine in the Karaf wine bar!! As we didn’t have to check out till 11.30, we went out for breakfast, bought our train tickets and some wonderful freshly made sandwiches for the train journey. Now we’re on the intercity train which goes to Toulouse, we get out at Tarbes and from there get a bus to Aire sur Adour. Haven’t a clue when that leaves, apparently it’s another 1 hr 15 mins journey. [...]
Heading off again
Last year Teresa and I had planned two sections of our beloved Camino but it was not to be. Teresa was ill with pneumonia which meant walking for 6 days was not a possible outcome so instead we used our flights to Biarrritz and I made sure she recuperated. Now happily we are both in great health and tomorrow morning are flying to Biarritz/Bayonne. We will have a night in Bayonne and then on Tuesday will travel to Aire sur Adour and start back on the Camino on Wednesday morning, can’t wait. Due to now owning an ipad mini, I’m [...]
May 2nd 2012 and the last day in France (for now)
No rush this morning as we had plenty of time to get ready and explore. As we were getting ready Teresa commented that the more French hotels we stayed i, the more she realised that Norman Bates was quite normal!!! No rush at breakfast either as there seemed to be so few people staying. Breakfast was great but it just all feels a little weird…. We left about 9.30 having asked to leave our luggage to later and we walked into town stopping , once again, at the tourist office just to check bus times and departure points. It was [...]
Last walking day Nogaro to Aire sue Adour
May 1st 2012 Pulled back the curtains and the rain had stopped when we got up this morning. What a great start to May and most things were dry – good omen for the day ahead. As we walked through Nogaro on our way to the boulangerie and then out, we passed lots of stalls selling little posies of lily of the Valley, a traditional activity on May 1st. This is one of the things I love about walking in different countries, finding out about and experiencing local cultures. About 4 kms into today’s walk we stopped at a lovely [...]
Eause to Nogaro
Beware what you wish for…… wanting sunshine, Teresa and I were delighted, if not a little surprised to get it yesterday and we loved it but I was reminded that we had also said ” we don’t care if it rains again as we’ve had this gorgeous day.” Well we woke to rain and it didn’t stop all day! See what I mean. We packed with enthusiasm this morning as we were delighted at the fact that we were leaving the Hotel Triana, don’t stay there if you have a choice at all. Breakfast, I’m glad to say was better [...]
Montreal sue Gers to Eause
Woke this morning to sunshine and blue skies, I had to take a photo straight away as I was so surprised and delighted. Breakfast was traditional with coffee drunk from a bowl, love this and loads of fresh bread and jam and then it was time to pack up, say farewells and to get another stamp for our notebooks, interesting that this happening now when we had never been aware of being able to get these so easily before. Just before we left, we went to see the garden and also to see the ducks which were making such a [...]
Condom to Montreal sur Gers
It’s April 28th and with Paddy’s words (the Australian group’s guide) echoing in our head, we set off. According to Paddy, it’s going to be awful weather – what can you do? We set our positive head on and call in to the local boulangerie for pizza and quiche for lunch and leave Condom along the river. A lovely path but the river is still really murky as all have been on this trip so far. It must be all the mud etc that’s been washing into and away by the rivers. Soon we are leaving the river and [...]
April 27th and it’s La Romieu to Condom
Wonderful breakfast at Lily’s and then she dropped us at the boulangerie where we met a couple who we’d seen at dinner last night as well as in the hotel the first night, not sure what nationality they are. From there, fresh bread purchased, we walked to the Epicerie and found wonderful goats cheese and Pate for lunch – the scent of the fresh bread makes you want to eat it immediately but restrain called for. Today we were heading for Condom, 10 miles away and already we were wondering about trying some of the Armagnac…… Beautiful poppies in [...]
First of 6 walking days – Lectoure to La Romieu
Well compared to what we walked last year, this will be a relatively easy day. It’s still overcast but warm although I’d like some sun. It’s so hard to get it right. For the last couple of years we’ve walked in late 20 degree and 30 degree heat so we aimed for earlier this year, guess the weather is just so unpredictable. Even the French are surprised at how cold it is compared to normal. So 7.30 a.m alarm and straight away we’re into our usual routine, one of the great things when you travel with the same person. Breakfast [...]
Travel Day – 25th April
Teresa and I have been waiting for this day to come for ever, well at least from when we decided that this was the month we’d head out on the next Camino section. What we weren’t looking forward to though was the 6.30 flight from Gatwick Airport which working back meant getting up about 2.30!! At this point I have to thank my wonderful, ever patient husband who offered to drive me there and my dear friend Sharon who had Ellie to stay overnight. Always excited to get together on our journey again, T and I met up in the [...]