The days pass without a calendar or Internet and I forget the date.
I did not leave a space on my blogspot for two days,
so I'll have to pinch in all the photos from two days here.
It's so difficult to choose photos
because this route is so beautiful!
Two days ago we walked from Arudy to Oloron.
The priest gave me a micro fleece! Hooray!
Yesterday we walked from Oloron to Fountaines d'Escot near Sarrance.
Last night was a thunderstorm so today we walk the highway
because the path will be too muddy to navigate.
A short day today just half a stage, maybe 12 k. W
because the path will be too muddy to navigate.
A short day today just half a stage, maybe 12 k. W
Here are the photos from Arudy to Oloron:
Finally, we reach Oloron.
It's on the river,
and there's some climbing
to get to our albergue.
I love the way they prune the sycamore trees here.
Can't wait to see it a little later in the Spring,
maybe next year?
Getting into Oloron was difficult for me.
We stayed at Relais du Bastet,
The last kilometer was basically straight down a very steep street
and my feet screamed the entire way.
How do they walk on those streets? ???
A tip I discovered next day:
when you reach the church the road splits right in front
you can turn and go right down a very steep incline
or left and around to the right along a promenade.
Take the promenade.
Keep watching down to your left and you will see the grocery market after a short walk.
Take the stairs down and buy food before heading to the Albergue.
As we arrived the bells were ringing like crazy!
I wondered who had died!?
Turns out it wasthe beginning of a holiday, Assumption Day.
Nothing was open next morning and we were afraid we might not eat until Sarrance.
But we did find an alimentacion on our way out of town.
Hooray!We stayed at Relais du Bastet,
a private Albergue and again, we were very pleased.
We had a private room, shared a bathroom and kitchen.
The albergue is nice,
with a place to wash and hang clothes.
Clean and we paid 20 euro each.
Here is a photo of the inside of the church at Oloron.
Please take time to visit all the little churches in France.
They are so ornate and the artwork is incredibly beautiful.
I have the dreaded pilgrim ankle thingy,
that I get each year
after the first few days of walking.
Broken blood vessels
and a reaction to the soap
makes for ugly legs!
Then there's this little toe
that curls under the next toe
always resulting in a blister.
I have to get this fixed before I walk tomorrow!
It was a long hard walk today,
but a beautiful one!
I am looking forward to the rest tonight.
Tomorrow we walk to Les Fountaines.
TO FOUNTAINES d'ESCOT
(Bed & Breakfast)
This was such a beautiful place to stay.
I hope to visit again some day.
The host was kind and friendly and helpful.
He was very busy working on the place doing remodeling.
It was a muddy trail today |
A beautiful home on the river |
but were cute as heck!
I think it was because they were working inside
and the doors were open.
This was was a very beautiful, clean place to stay.
I think it was because they were working inside
and the doors were open.
This was was a very beautiful, clean place to stay.
Door leading to the ancient Roman hot tubs |
You have to do a little climbing and rock scrambling to get to the tubs |
Can you see what is in this hole? |
Ancient steps |
Roman times dressing room |
Catherine of Bourbon slept here |
What a cool room! |
Sunset from the porch at Fountaines |
At Fontaines d'Escot, we explored old hot baths along the rivers edge.
We soaked our feet in the cold river and then in the lukewarm 'healing' waters.
I have to admit my feet and legs were much better next morning!
This was a friendly, fascinating place.
We paid 18 euro each for simple pilgrim rooms.
No kitchen.
I would stay here again in an instant
just for the experience!
I would stay here again in an instant
just for the experience!
I am so enjoying your blog and cant wait for you to get to Somport, because that is where I am starting in September.
ReplyDeleteJenny, how was your walk?
ReplyDeletesome how I missed this place when I did it
ReplyDeletehere is where you lost me just realized you were not continuing to St. Jean Pied du Port. from Oleron I went to Hospital St Blais. and on to Mauleon.
ReplyDeleteThis was the most wonderful place!
ReplyDelete