… a couple of thoughts

Last night before we reach Saint Jean Pied de Port and it is bitter sweet. Many of the friends we have made along the way have either gone further and passed us by a day or two, or they have returned to their daily life and will return next year. Some have taken Varients, alternate routes and are a few days behind us. Nevertheless, we have met up with Richard again and we have met a Canadian and an American couple. We have also met a German couple whom we see from time to time… they will go on to Pamplona. We are all longing for the finish but also don’t want the experience to end.

The day started sweet and serene, morning dew freshness and birds singing happily. The morning mist added a special magic to the whole landscape. The plan, like other days, was to get as many kilometres as possible behind us before the heat and beat the now regular afternoon thunderstorm (which has actually come at night). Today though, had the added challenge of alternative tracks so we had to be extra vigilant not to take the wrong turn! A wrong turn would mean extra kilometres and higher, steeper climbs! Luckily we managed, we almost took the wrong track, once and we were tricked by a Gite sign momentarily.

Being the second last day we wanted to enjoy it as much as possible though distance, heat and the never ending climbs took all our energy… the day ended as it started… a car ride (our accommodation has been out of town and off the track) we lapped up every moment of being pampered.