To Roncesvalles- part 2

And all the years I’ve walked I never really noticed these markers which give you not only the emergency SOS 212 number but give you a location you can give the emergency crew so they can find you easily

This is the first time in many years I’ve seen the inside of the hut so clean

Is this a WWII bunker??

This old Roman Road has been perfectly preserved by being protected inside and out building for centuries

Karen seemed happy just to have a nice place to rest

Therese got some pretty severe blisters on her heel yesterday

This is Jenny’s blister prevention program. Ha ha ha!

Had time for a short nap before dinner and the pilgrims mass which I did not attend again but which some of the girls did attend

Orisson to Roncesvalles

These are photos the group shared of their trek from Orisson to Roncesvalles. 

To Roncesvalles - part 1 - 2018

Since I have walked this stage many times, I had the taxi driver drop me off up at The Cross, where the trail leaves the main road. It was a wonderful 10 kilometers!

PILGRIMS Or PIGS?!

The tourist ‘pilgrims’ have already trashed Rolland’s Fountain!  What kind of people do this?!  Do they not have parents who taught them to pick up after themselves????  It just made me sick to see this so early in the season. I can’t imagine what waste these assholes will leave the rest of the route!  

People!  CARRY OUT YOUR TRASH!!!

I passed the stone where the young Brazilian died a few years back. 

To Orisson, France

Today we had breakfast at Gite Makila, then walked to Orisson.

Leaving in the early morning, I was again struck by the beauty of this village. 

The girls in my group are in much better shape than I am. They were down the hill and ready to go way ahead of me!

and they smoked me on the road!  

At the crossroads, Linda and I took the road. I had a much more difficult time walking this year than ever before, having not had time for any training (and the spare tire around my middle!)

I arrived at Orisson some time after them. We had hours to spare before the taxi arrived and spent the morning no and early afternoon eating soup and drinking beers!

At 2 pm the taxi FINALLY arrived - and we shuttled down the mountain. 2.5 hours up and 8 minutes down!

We had an hour to wait for our Gite to open. 

Tomorrow we will shuttle up to Orisson and continue our walk to Roncesvalles. 

Tomorrow We Walk!

Tomorrow we walk the 8 kilometers from Hell straight up the mountain to Orisson. Tonight we celebrated in the gorgeous garden of our Gite then hit the beds early. We rise at 6:30 am. Breakfast is at 7 am and we must vacate the Gite by 8:30. The weather is looking good!  It should be a glorious day!

Bishop’s Prison 2018

Being Bad Gurls at Gite Makila 2018

St John Pied de Port - 2018

Just arrived and time for lunch!

I saw many such signs on the doors indicating the lodgings were full, and felt lucky to have reservations!

Jenny had to decide between a neck job and this trip - so she is holding up the turkey neck behind her head. :::laughing::::

The salads were wonderful!  I had a salad with honey glazed goat cheese.  YUM!

After lunch we went to the Pilgrim Office to pick up our shells and register. Here are Jenny, Karen, and Linda.