Left the house at 4:56 pm. Finally on my way. It was an interesting feeling driving away from my home. to ´who-knows-what´down the road. But, all the thought, planning and preparations are over. It´s time for doing now.
Made sure the stones I picked up outside my door were safely tucked away.
Fast check-in and baggage check (all my kit was in a box whose wight probably went up by 2-3 kg from the duct tape).My ruck wasn´t the only piece of un-cooperative kit. I have religiously kept track of the weight of my kit with an old scales. I know my packed weight went up about 5 pounds but at the airport it was up about 12 pounds! At least I have walked with most of that weight for months but I know where that scales is going when I get home!
The plane lifted off at 9:39 pm - next stop Montreal and then Paris. Our route took us east along the waterfront of Toronto. I looked down on the route I have walked for months - it seems like an old friend now.
Arrived in Paris early which was welcomed as I only had 90 minutes to get baggage, clear customs and find the next gate for my connection to Biarritz. It could not have been any further away and still be in France! Made it with 2 minutes to spare! Flight was rough but on time. Bus to Bayonne and then train to St. Jean Pied de Port - the starting point.
Went directly to the Pilgrim´s office to register and then hunted out a cheap hotel. I´m knackered but a decent meal, glass of good wine, hot bath and sound sleep (in a horizontal position) will likely do wonders.
Ultreya
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This is the story of my walk on the ancient Camino de Santiago, a twelve hundred year old pilgrimage route. The Camino is 835 kilometers, from the south of France, across the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain and thence westwards to the tomb of the apostle St. James in Santiago de Compostela.
