I forgot to post photos of along today's journey! The sculpture most pilgrims recognize as at a restaurant/rest stop and the paths of today.

I am in Pamplona!!! Thank goodness 3 of us caught a bus in Villava as about 45-60 min after finding the pension, the sky opened and the wind came up!! Feel so sorry for the pilgrims that were still walking.

This is out my room's window @ 4:30 p.m. The pensione is a dump but will do for tonight. Already had a shower & nap - am sure I will sleep well tonight as bed is comfortable. I am on the way to see the cathedral but sprinkling so outside visitor's center taking advantage of wi-fi. Hope to meet up with someone I've met before to have dinner. My plan for tomorrow is to take a bus to Puente la Reina and rest my knee. It is 14 miles and just don't think it is possible. Plus the pensione has no English so making arrangements for shipping pack & making reservation too difficult. Today was once again hot and up & down terrain. The last 3-4 km was too hard to think about doing which all worked out in the end with storm coming in! I found an ATM just before getting on the bus so cash supply is once again in good stead! There are bells pealing from down the street - beautiful clanging!!!! Okay on to see the cathedral - Buen Noches!

My short walk today was very doable tho the map showed all downhill where the actual way was quite a bit up and down!! Am staying at Larronosia tonight. Have the paper sheet & pillowcase on my lower bunk bed. Others are coming in that have walked today from where I started yesterday! One Frenchman has walked the Camino 5 times!! I plan on walking to Pamplona tomorrow but suspect I will take a bus or taxi for the last part. Backpack will again be shipped! The young receptionist here at Municipal Albergue made a reservation for me at a pension in Pamplona - 15 euro w/shared bath or 17 w/private - an easy decision, huh???? Monika & I shared a double bed in pension last night. It was heaven to be on such comfortable peace!!! Having some doubts as to how much I'm going to walk...knowing the map isn't quite true to form, the easy sections I was planning on may never materialize...Today I had the thought that I think many people walk the Camino to be completative and peaceful. I feel that my life, mind, physical. etc. is basically always at a level of contentment so why I am I here??? Sightseeing, cultural, physically demanding, lots of fresh air, tan lines, meeting so many people from everywhere...those are all happening so perhaps the El Camino is doing it's magic!!

Pat & Peg caught up with me this morning - yes, we came down the stairs! Will probably not see them again until I'm home.

The bridge into Larrasonoia

My home for tonight

Sitting at Zubiri eating dinner with fellow pilgrims!! I walked 8.2 km today before catching a taxi with Monika from Canada. Only 5 km tomorrow so probably won't see any of these people again as they will go on to Pamplona. Walked through woods today but then open country with very hot sun! There is unusual hot weather here.

Okay safe & sound in Roncevellas, Spain! Only because I took a taxi!! On Wed the 27th, we walked from St Jean Pied de Port, France. uphill for approximately 4 miles - straight uphill!!! The Pryenese Mtns are beautiful and not really so high except when on foot!!! So today, Thursday the 28th, I started out once again going uphill and more uphill for approximately 4 more miles at which time I asked the "cheese/food truck man to call a taxi as all I could see was more uphill!!! And then, of course, there would be the downhill. So I missed crossing into Spain by foot -- it was a bit discouraging to see how fast the taxi covered the same distance that I had walked!!!! So I saved my knees & feet and saw some different countryside along the way. I also shipped my pack both days and probably will every day - I am in very poor physical shape; just moving my body is a big enough effort!!! So my Camino has changed direction but do plan to carry on. The terrain is not so strenuous tho still some up & downs. If I go slow & easy, I should be okay. My two friends will walk ahead starting tomorrow so will bid them Beun Camino and carry on seeing people from all over the world!This is just before I reached Orrison. I am having trouble making wi-fi connection so might not be posting very much. It is a fantastic experience and I am glad I am at least attempting it!!

Here is a map of the route - I'm doing the Francis route starting at St Jean Pied de Port in France and will end at Santiago de Compostela.

Here it is! The final packed backpack with the Keen shoes I will wear on the first leg of this journey.

 

The backpack is too full and heavy!! So unloaded with me trying to decide what I can live without...

OK, two more things checked off the list getting ready to go walk the El Camino! Toenails trimmed and hair cut. Here's the new haircut (it grows fast!!):

The staging area with lots of eliminating ahead of me:

I am creating this blog for communication with my family and friends while I am walking the El Camino de Santiago August 24 - October 19, 2015. I am excited, anxious, nervous and a bit overwhelmed to be undertaking such an adventure! Please bear with me as I not only learn how to blog, but also average walking 10 miles a day on and through various terrains beginning in France, but mainly across the northern border of Spain. If you want more info on the El Camino: http://www.caminoadventures.com/camino-frances/