I am manipulating the dates again, to follow the blog, just read from top to bottom and at the end of the page, click on "older posts" to get the latest posting, this way it makes sense to follow along.
  Had a long day yesterday getting from Santiago to St Jean Pied du Port in France after finishing the Portuguese 400 miles . Just got in to St Jean 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 right off the bat, and into the Pyrenees Mountains. Almost straight up, and I'm looking at these hikers getting excited to go ,and yet I fear some may not get by day one without a taxi ride. Good for them for being here though, its their Camino.
For those who have not followed my hundreds of previous miles walking, Leonard ( or Leonard the Girl Elephant) on those tiring days,is my trusty old backpack, I spend many hours chatting to Leonard along the way.

st Jean Peid du Port is a lovely quaint village at the foot of the Pyrenees, and has a charm that was missing in some of the towns I went through while walking  Portugal.

St Jean Peid du Port

Started out at 6 am and its a straight up, a punishing 5000 ft climb over the Pyrenees. There are signs everywhere not to start climbing if the weather is threatening, or its late in the day as its too dangerous. 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.

Along the climb in a 

number of places , there were memorials to pilgrims who didn,t quite make day one, 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, yet impatient.
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 when one is 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 thekind of person to take a pilgrimage, then you are like minded with most of the rest on this journey.