Camino Francais, 800 kilometers, start may28th, 2015

Had a long day yesterday getting from Santiago to St JeanPeid do Port in France. Just got in in time to  get to the Camino affairs office and secure a new set of credentials. This walk will be different as there were many people waiting to get credentials, it is the most popular route as its the first route to be reintroduced to new pilgrims.
day one is the toughest as its a 5000 ft climb into the Pyrennese Mountains. Almost straight up, and I'm looking at these hikers getting excited To go,and I fear some may not get by day one without a taxi ride. Good for them for being here though, its their Camino.


st Jean Peid do Port is a lovely quaint village at the foot of the Pyrennese, and has a charm that was missing in some of the towns in Portugal.

St Jean Peid do Port

Started out at 6 am and its a straight up 5000 ft climb over the Pyrennesse. There are signs everywhere not to start climbing if the weather is threatening, or its late. Took us 5 hours of climbing to crest the top, then a very steep downhill for 1 hour into the town of Roncesvalles in the valley.
at a number of places on the climb, there were memorials to pilgrims who didn,t quite make it, was somewhat sad to see, but that's life I guess, and there is nothing like a subtle message when on a pilgrimage to remind you that time is a gift.
The views at sunrise, and during the climb were absolutely fantastic. You just can't duplicate them in a photo, and there is something special about gasping for air and at the same time, staring into the face of god., what do you appreciate most at that moment, the view or the oxygen. I loved every step of the climb.

Near the crest

After cresting, the way down was just as pretty, through the forests but a pretty steep decline which tortured the quads for an hour.

I have to say, I now feel like I'm on the Way , and im fired up and relaxed at the same time. Meeting some great people, seems like everyone has a story, and everyone is a pleasure to talk with. I guess if you are the person to take a pilgrimage, then you are like minded with most of the rest on this journey.