We feel like intrepid travellers....what have we let ourselves in for....we were advised by other pilgims in the past not to walk from St Jean Pied de Port....but I was so determined to be a REAL pulgrim that I insisted we star there.....well now I can hardly walk....we were told that althoug we weren´t leaving until 10.30 am we woould still have plenty of time to make the 8 hour walk....it took us nearly 11 hours....& that was with John carrying my pack after the first 3 hours....I was knackered & would quite happily have spent the night on the mountain...luckily we didn´t because there was snow on it this morning. It really made me think about my ability to complete this pilgrimage....I´m beginning to feel like I am all talk but not able to complete the action.
Anyway we started out this morning & I nearly freaked out at the first hill...couldn´t even make myself walk up it....started to cry....so we ended up getting a taxi to Pamplona.hope to stay here 2 nights but they have a big May day celebration & can only get 1 night.....will have to move on tomorrow unless we get lucky with the hotel.
Yesterday was nearly all uphill at about 45 degrees then after about 9 hours of that it was almost vertical going down (or so it seemed) ...thank God for walking poles. We were so exhausted that the Hospitaleros at the albergue came out to help us in....they were our Guardian angels...gave us a cup of cinnamon tea to warm us....then took us to the old monastery to sleep as the albergue was full......insisted that we have at least a bowl of soup for dinner as we would need to have some food in us & came to escort us to the restaurant to make sure we didn´t just die in our beds.
We are so stiff today....myright hip & left knee are really sore....Johns shoulders are stuffed after carrying 2 packs for about 7 hours over the Pyrenees
Peter Rhodes....training was far from adequate for this.
Paula Mary...glad you aren´t here...you would have been just as dead as me.
Emmeline & Richard.... we are fine & will cope....especially after nice vino tinto & tapas....also a cerveca (spanish beer for dad).
Mum & Dad....sorry no photos yet....no facility for them
Budgens...you´re in the lap of luxury...we are jealous & that will be us next time
We don´t make very good pilgrims so far
Love to all at home & at work& the gym
At this rate we should be home by Christmas!!!!!
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Hey, Barkers, Got distracted three times on last blog so lets start again..Feel so helpless not to be able to help in some way. So the Pyranees are steep, remember there will be flat plains ahead.. the worst is over and 'guardian angels' will be en route too. You really didn't expect it to be easy eh? Travelled with you on wednesday,thought about the big trip to start off , what a challenge...and you did it. So proud that you are making it, even if stiff and sore, but what memories and stories you will tell, good and bad, when home. Take care travel slowly and enjoy. Much love and prayers
Forget the pics, look after yourselves.
Ok guys, my enternal worries have surfaced.I always said I was worried by your training- but that's the past, now is reality. Keep up the foot care - prevent those blisters - no good with stiff legs. I know this is the worst part of the trip. Just take it all in at this stage and push through.If you last the first week you'll last the whole journey - the body will adapt. Welcome to a different type of life experience - you two can do this- stick at it!!!
By the way "enternal worries" are a cross between "eternal worries" and "internal worries" - in case you were confused.
You are making me want to cry!!!
Keep going - you are an inspiration to us all. Just drink more, it will numb the pain! Must say, I wouldn't have made it through the first day, so you are doing incredibly well - no matter how far you go.
Love
Sue M
xx
A BAPTISM OF FIRE!! How very catholic of you! You are so brave to even attempt such a task as this pilgrimage and I like the comments from your Trainer. By the time you read this, you will already be more accustomed to the trail and what it takes to have a good day. Thank God for guardian angels.
On a lighter note - Dominique messaged me a lovely sms from Positano this morning, telling me how beautiful it was and how it brought back good memories of our time at the Amalfi Coast in 2006. I replied, agreeing with her, then I got another one back, telling me that Mark reminded her of the time (here) and that I should go back to sleep (it was 4.05 am)and that maybe she'd had enough of the wine they were drinking at the time!! I giggled myself back to sleep. I could just picture them and Sue relaxing with a vino and enjoying the dolce vita!
I look forward to your next blog. We're all thinking of you both and mentally putting a shoulder under your bum cheek on the steep hills!
xx
hey mum and dad, sounds like a fairly tough few days!!! hope you guys are striding it out now, and lucky that drug bag was so big mum!!
you can always purchase a donkey and ride on over the hills!!
take care, do some RICE on those feet and legs each day and you'll be kicking arse before you know it.
no news from down here. have spent much of this week in child and youth psych, been really cool. if i had to do psych this is what i would be doing.
will be in bris this weekend so will say hi to the house.
love, Rich
Well nothing like starting out at the steep end of the track!!! Am picturing Mt Warning over and over, and it took me 3hrs and I was fairly blithering after it...so you are an inspiration you two. Keep going ands may there be lots more guardian angels when you need them!!! lots of love M-M
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