The Walk..

So The Walk finally arrived, I write this on Geoff's return, he decided not to make detailed notes but to relax and enjoy the walk, the lovely scenery and most importantly meeting interesting and fun pilgrims en-route.  If you would like more detailed information about the groups journey see blistersrus.wordpress.com.

Day One - Friday 5th April

Cliftonville to Bayonne, the journey included car, ferry, train to Paris and overnight TGV to Bayonne

Day Two - Saturday 6th April

Bayonne to Valcarlos, arriving in Bayonne around 8am, where the taxi was waiting to whisk them to St Jean Pied du Port.  They had a look around the town, Mark traded a walking pole with John who then bought Mark a staff.  To the Pilgrims Office to collect the Pilgrims Passport and the adventure to begin.  They then headed off to Valcarlos where they stayed in the excellent Municipal Albergue.

Day Three - Sunday 7th April

Valcarlos to Roncevalles, through snowy landscapes, challenging steep slopes and some deep snow.  Staying at another good Albergue, Roncevalles Monastery, Geoff and Mark attended the Pilgrims blessing.

Day Four - Monday 8th April

Roncevalles to Zubiri, a 6:30am wake up call to the sounds of Morning has broken , how civilised and on the road by 07:45.

Day Five - Tuesday 9th April

Zubiri to Pamplona, rain on and off for most of the day.  Was the Tapas the best in Spain ??

Day Six - Wednesday 10th April

Pamplona to Puente la Reine, blue skies and warm sunshine for a long 25k trek, Geoff has a really tanned face now.

Day Seven - Thursday 11th April

Puente la Reine to Estella, it took them a while to leave town including lunch with Pilgrims met en-route.  The overnight Albergue didn't meet the high standards of all the others they had stayed in.

Day Eight - Friday 12th April

Homeward bound, two buses, two trains via Pamplona back to Bayonne for an overnight stop in an Ibis Hotel, luxury compared to the rest of the week !

Day Nine - Saturday 13th April

The final leg home, TGV to Paris and train to Calais, back on the ferry, into the car and finally home.

A long journey of nearly 100 miles, a spiritual journey, a physical journey, an emotional journey, a journey that was ending but in reality is only just beginning.....

Will these Pilgrims travel this road further and together or find their own way, meeting eventually in Santiago de Compostella and kneel before God as a true Pilgrim in the city's famous cathedral. The city has its origin in the shrine of Saint James the Great, the destination of 1000's of Pilgrims past.