(I’m having some frustration with WiFi and have removed some photos. )
The travel by sitting is over – tedious flight from Toronto to Paris, bus from CDG to Orly airport, flight to Biarritz/Bayonne, where I had a cheap room (€35 without private bath at the Hotel Monte Carlo) near the train station. This morning I had a station breakfast with an Internet forum friend, Margaret, who is coincidentally starting on the same day. She is 77 or 78 and this is her 11th Camino. She takes about 7 weeks to walk the 800 km.
On the 1-hour train/bus trip there were half a dozen other pilgrims. We straggled our way to the pilgrims’ office in St. Jean and found places to stay. Margaret and I had lunch and then said goodbye until Roncesvalles in 2 days. She is taking the road and valley route while I am taking the Napoleon route over the Pyrenees.
Tonight I will stay in the same place as last year – Beilari – since they have a nice communal dinner. Now that the busy season is over, there’s lots of choice.
I’ve been wandering the town this afternoon, trying to adjust to jet lag but not over-exert myself. Now sitting on a bench watching traffic in a roundabout.
Time to head to the refuge to meet my roommates. As the first arrival I got a good bed in a room for only 3 people!
Later… I’m lying in bed in a room by myself, 10 pm, looking forward to the morning. Only 6 other pilgrims here tonight: a group of 3 (2 Americans plus a German, together since they met on a previous camino), a pair of brothers-in-law from the UK, and a German. Only the German is intending to walk to Santiago on this trip. They are all such nice people that it is already sad that they’ll be leaving after a week, but the Camino will provide other companions!
Seeing Clarely 
Buen Camino Clare,
I will be following your journey as you make you way across the Pyrenees and through Spain.
Ultreia,
Arlène
I am sitting in the albergue in Roncesvalles now! I carry the Brierley maps only book. Will try to post more today.
I am finding it a bit challenging to post regularly, but I’ll try.
Exciting, was your overnight in Beilari on Tuesday 13 Oct ?
Bit confused about the timing. Insert dates in the blog so I can follow each day in detail.
Is “Day 1” to be followed by “Day 2” not adequate?
Yes. And Day 1 was October 14, 2015!
How exciting Clare Hope the weather is kind over the top.
Weather is glorious, but chilly when the sun goes down.
It was gorgeous – chilly but almost cloudless and not too windy.
Looking forward to following you on this wonderful journey Clare!
Thanks. Today I was cropping some photos to post, and had to redo one when it had too little headroom. Couldn’t post that in case Bill was looking!
Haha – all your shots are great Clare!
I’m excited to follow your Camino as well, Clare! I’ve been missing the Camino a lot lately, and my ‘blog friends’ are a great remedy for that. Buen Camino!
Thanks! I now have 2 Nadines following me!