Linda Scandore

Over the Pyrenees ~ Stage 1 ~ Day 41 ~ May 17, 2014

Day 41, May 17
16 miles, 486 miles
Altitude: 3,116 feet
Weather: blue sky with clouds 55-75F
Roncesvalles
FRIST DAY IN SPAIN

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, 475 feet
Huntto, 1,640 feet
Climbed 1,165 feet in 3 miles

A 7:00 AM start put me in the middle of the pack to cross the Pyrenees. Saint-Jean looked like ants scrambling from flooded colonies as pilgrims poured out of gites. I could not leave France without one more baguette tucked into my pack.

With a sense of euphoria heightened by a clear and crisp day, I deliberately slowed my pace to capture the moment and final views walking along the famed Route Napolean. The route immediately climbs through steeply wooded countryside with scattered farms.

Should Have ~ Day 40 ~ May 16, 2014

Day 40, May 16 ~ Day 40
0 miles, 470 miles REST DAY #4
Altitude: 124 meters
Weather: blue sky with clouds 60-75F
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
FINISHED FIRST HALF

Leaving France is hard. I should have eaten more food, should have drank more wine, should have paused more to take in the beauty, should have learned more French….no one wants to leave France.

I spent hours on a computer improving my blog. Days are in sequential order and all pilgrimage pictures have been enlarged (London, Yorkshire, and Paris pictures are still in small format).

Jeffery and I had a long walk by the river cementing our friendship. It is his prayer card I drew in Le Puy and by shear chance met him 350 miles later. His family and I are bound. His wife joins him in days and with Camino magic I will met her too.

And Walk ~ Day 39 ~ May 15, 2014

Day 39, May 15
13 miles, 470 miles
Altitude: 124 meters
Weather: blue sky with clouds 60-75F
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
FINISHED FIRST HALF

For eight years I dreamed of walking the Camino from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France to Santiago, Spain. Three years ago I learned The Way begins in Le Puy, France doubling the length of the pilgrimage. There is such a huge feeling of satisfaction knowing I have completed the harder half. Arriving in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port I feel like the sage pilgrim knowing all you need to do is walk and walk and walk.