This was my last day walking the Baztan Camino as it ends here in Villava, a suburb of Pamplona. Tomorrow on I'll be back on the main route, the Camino Frances. It was a fairly unremarkable day - unchallenging terrain as all the big elevation was behind me and today was generally a descent down … Continue reading Day 9: Baztan – Villava, 21.8 kms

Another big day of hills - 988m of elevation and I felt them all. With my lingering leg issues I wasn't able to train very much vertically so I've really been feeling it. Fortunately I'm staying at the same hotel as Mom & John again tonight so they sherpa'd pretty much all my belongings except … Continue reading Day 8: Baztan – Ulague, 24.4 kms

All 9 pilgrims unanimously had set out alarms for 6:45a but I was the first out the door at 7:30a as all the others were sitting down to a jovial breakfast. I knew there was a monster climb immediately after the monastery so I preferred to tackle it on an empty stomach. Pictures rarely capture … Continue reading Day 7: Baztan – Ziga, 27.4 kms

There was rain during the night but it was dry albeit humid and a bit cloudy when we went in for breakfast. The albergue served just a simple repast of yogurt, cereal, and toast but that was fine for us pilgrims. Plural today as Mum & John are walking with me today! They’ll come as … Continue reading Day 6: Baztan – Urdax, 24.2 kms

Bayonne-Ustaritz I had an even later start of 7:45am this quiet Sunday morning. The Italian pilgrims left at 6:45am, after all their squabbling last night over what time to leave, they plan to walk 40 kms today! I’ve an easy 15 kms which is good as my pack feels extra heavy for some reason. It’ll … Continue reading Day 5: Baztan Camino, 15.9 kms

My albergue served coffee and toast at the mutually agreed time of 7am so I was able to have a 7:30 am start. It was light out but the sun was not yet over the horizon yet and it was still cool so I hope I can get some miles in before the heat comes. … Continue reading Day 4: Pamplona/Bayonne, 18.9kms

Despite sleeping on a Floor with 89 other pilgrims I had a fairly decent night's sleep. The 3 gentlemen in my cubicle didn't snore, or at least my earplugs muffled any extraneous noise, so I had a restful, if not sound sleep. At 6am a melodic chanting music was piped in as our wake up … Continue reading Day 3: Urdaniz, 28.5 kms

Another big day today, at least elevation-wise for someone who's been stuck walking my flat neighborhood for the last couple of weeks. 823 total meters up and 680 meters down! We started before sunrise with a simple breakfast of toast and coffee. I left my meal to pop out to take a photo of the … Continue reading Day 2: Roncesvalles, 17.7 kms

A great first day! Luckily the forecast changed and we had bright sun and a cool breeze the whole way up to Orisson. The day started off with a coffee and pastry around the corner from my hotel in Pamplona and the waitress wishing me "good luck" as I left the cafe - I didn't … Continue reading Day One: Orisson, 7.9 kms

I'm back in Spain to walk a few more Caminos. I've been practicing all summer which has been a bit of a challenge what with the hot weather necessitating very early morning starts and continued issues with my hip muscles but I'm ready as I'm able and with fingers crossed I'll start tomorrow in France. … Continue reading Back On the Camino