We made it to Burgos

OK, it may have been an insane goal but we did, 40 km to Burgos and still standing. We had an awesome dinner with Martin and George (with a surprise visit from Martin's father and cousin too).

To accomplish such a feat as 40 km in one day, we could not have asked for a better day, weather wise. It was a little cool in the morning, 7-8 degrees. Cloud cover most of the day with a beautiful breeze until the last 7 km into Burgos.

We took lots of breaks to rest our feet and drank lots of water. 

Lots of wooded paths

Lots of open spaces

"Since pilgrims dominated in Burguete the Navarra hills

and saw the Spanish long countryside,

they haven't seen a more beautiful sight than this."

And it was an amazing view.

And everyone is so encouraging along the way.

And finally we entered Burgos

I will walk with Martin and George to Hornillos a mere 20 km tomorrow. What a lovely break. 

I will say good-bye to my fellow pilgrim, Eric and wish him well on his remaining days on the Camino. It has been an honour to have walked with someone who possesses such high moral character, is so positive and has a tremendous sense of humour. I hope we will be friends long after this and who knows maybe he and his family will come and visit Ottawa one day.

Lauralee

My Beautiful Walking Pole

Sometimes you just have to go back...

I think I told you about my walking pole I got on day two. I bought it from the boy at the bottom of the hill on the way to Zubrini. It cost 3 Euro. I thought I would use it until June 23rd and then get rid of it. Then the 79 year old pilgrim from Wales added a string. It's a really funny story that can only be shared over wine and good company.

Well today we set off from Grañon with the intention of walking 27.7 km to Villafranca Montes de Oca. About 1.5 km on I realized I had forgotten my pole. It took about 3 seconds to decide I had to do the three km round trip to get it.  My friend pushed on and we said we would meet at the first Cafe. So I walked back to pick it up and I was so happy when I got it. I just couldn't image not having it. The day before we came across a really scary dog that we thought might get over the fence and my friend was going to fend it off with my pole if necessary.

The funniest part of the return for my pole was I got to witness I runaway donkey. LOL. 

So the donkey is coming towards me on the path. The guy behind is yelling instructions at me (I think it was Spanish/French/Italian all mixed together) to wave my arms and say stop and to stand in front of her. I am a little scared of horses but do my best. She slows down but looks pretty determined to get past me. I moved out of her way and let her pass. Then I hear the fellow say "No Charlotte Stop" but she runs even faster. I apologize for my feeble attempt and keep walking. He eventually got her turned around and it took two of them to get her back on her lead. It was quite fun and another adventure on the Camino. 

It took to 1:00 pm before my friend Eric and I found each other again. We kept saying we would exchange emails and phone numbers so we could stay in touch but in my hast to go back for my pole we just said the next Cafe. When I got there Eric had already moved on. So I pushed on. We don't usually walk together in the mornings. It is our quiet solo reflective time, so I wasn't too concerned. After 15 km and I was having lunch I thought I had better find a way to communicate where we booked to stay and I easily found him through his blog and Google - Eric West Virginia Camino and presto

https://coachingoutofbounds.blogspot.com

So here is Eric's blog. Another perspective of this amazing journey. 

We did catch up after lunch just outside Belorado. I am so grateful to have met Eric. He is a kind, generous, positive, family oriented man who I am so happy to have shared the last few days with. We share similar values and views on life that has made the miles go quickly. 

We will walk tomorrow as close to Burgos as we can manage. It's 38 km to Burgos but we will try to get 30 km in (again). Then the next day we will pick up Martin and George (a friend of Martin's who will spend a week or so with us) and carry on to Hornillos. This may be where Eric carries on to try and meet his Santiago deadline of June 17. A tall order for 469.4 km in 16 days. 

It's been so fun sharing this adventure with you all. I just figured out how to respond to comments. I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has commented. It sure helps for me to know that you are reading and enjoying.

Love 

Lauralee 

Los Arcos to Logroño to Nájera

When your body is challenged...

So I am still walking with my friend from West Virginia and we have now done three 30 km days in a row. Tonight, I am simply glad that we decided to share a private room out of the Albergue. I like the Albergues but you don't have any privacy, I have not slept great and there is little space to organize your stuff.  So this is beyond a treat, I might just be in heaven. I actually had a shower and a nap before dinner. It made planning for the next few days a lot easier.

So to back up a bit, I had a Crossfit moment a couple of days ago. We decided to do a mountain scenic trail versus the flatter more km trail. The views were spectacular and worth the extra effort. While coming down one particular section it was very steep and lots of rocks. I just got into a rhythm and it was kind of like solving a puzzle. I was flying down the mountain. When we were done I felt like I had just done a Crossfit workout. It was amazing and super exhilarating. Here is the picture:

So I don't know why but there are not a lot of vegetables served with meals so I have taken to the salad for lunch whenever I get chance. It also has good protein as well.

Today, was by far, the most difficult day yet. Although we were grateful that the day was a little cloudy and it rained only a little bit. The wear and tear on your body is a lot. I do have blisters, I have a bit of heat rash and my feet ache at the end of the day, so each step to where you can finally rest, is painful. 

I had to take this picture to show I have walked over 183 Km so far. The Camino from St Jean is 776 km 

That all for today. I am going to sleep peacefully and sleep in until 6:15 am

Lauralee

PS I want to send a super big thank you to William, Stacy and Martin for coordinating a few additional items for Martin to bring to me on Tuesday. I am so looking forward to Martin joining this amazing journey.

Los Arcos not Torres del Rio

We made it... a 30 km day. And 32 after dinner and shopping.

So the amazing things that have happened today. I have been walking with a pilgrim from West Virginia. We are both a little behind our schedule according to the book. We really wanted to catch up yesterday but we just didn't have it in us. So we relaxed at La Casa Mágica and it truly was amazing. No bunk beds, a bedside table and a massage. I could not have asked for more. Let me tell you the massage was out of this world.

Today we started early for Estella. We were trying to get to the monastery that gave free wine to pilgrims. There is also a webcam which is live. So my friend was coordinating with his wife so he could say hi. She set her alarm for 3 am and then he had to text her to wait an hour because we got lost. Actually, that his how he and I met we were both lost.

I am getting water. The wine faucet is behind me. Here is the link if you want to have a look.

Do you remember the stick I got the second day. I met a 79 year old pilgrim, teacher from Wales and he offered to put a string on my stick while we were at a blacksmith shop looking at some mementos.  He added a string and shared some stories. It was just a wonderful gesture and now I really have to figure out how to bring my stick home. 

There is so much more to share but it's 9:20 and we are planning a 28 km day tomorrow 

See you soon

Lauralee

Another Day on the Camino

So this is the place I stayed last night.

A very lovely albergue with a pool. 25 euro for a bed, dinner and breakfast.

I got going around 8:00 am. It was a late start but I needed to dry my clothes.

Obanos

This was my early morning view before Puente La Reina.

More markers

A map of the world in Curaiqui...

Just before the largest hill of day up to Lorca many pilgrims stopped to rest our already weary feet. It really could not be missed.

I stopped today with my new walking companion. A father of 3 children, teacher and devoted husband. He has made the time go quickly and company is welcome after a couple days alone.

A big day tomorrow, we are going to try and get to Torres del Rio 35 km.

Wish me luck

Lauralee

Pamplona and Alto del Perdon

Hi everyone

The past two days have been a lot of fun. I chose to walk alone and it has been just lovely. The first couple of days I was buying into the early start and rushing to the next location per the map. It just got me lots of blisters. So I decided to slow it down a little.

I walked from Zubiri to Pamplona. Although I had not been planning to walk that far. But when I wanted to stop the albergue was not open so I pushed on and then it was only 4 km more. Then I got lost in Pamplona which I am sure added 4 - 5 km more for a total of 29 km day.

Here are a few of the signs that we watch for to follow. Although leaving Pamplona this morning everyone was so helpful pointing me in the right direction when I looked the slightest bit lost.

 

Alto del Perdón
This was the highlight of my day. I have watched this part of the movie The Way so many times and today I was actually there.  I stood by the puppy because I miss Avro so much.

I stopped taking pictures of the panoramic views because my phone will not do them justice. Just know the walk up was steep and difficult but worth every step.

I was suppose to walk to Puente La Reina today but it was just so hot that I could not go one more step. So I stopped at Muruzabal which was 4 km short. I even got a bottom bunk, Yeah!!!

I will try and get a good night's sleep and leave a little earlier tomorrow to catch up. I kind of miss the group I was walking with from the beginning but it is all about adjusting to change and the adventure.

Thanks for following along. It is so much fun sharing with you all.

Lauralee 

Rain, Rain, Rain and Gratefulness

Good morning everyone

I usually write in the evening but the Albergue was super busy and to be honest I was really tired. This is me leaving Roncesvalles around 6:30 am.

The day was about quiet reflection. The weather reminded me of Vancouver Island and Vancouver. Lots of rain and walks in the forest. There were many slugs. It reminded me of my grandmother and her Nova Scotia sense of humour. When I was really young I asked her what was for lunch and she said "slug soup". So the helpful little girl I was got a bucket and a stick and went through her beautiful garden and picked up a pile of slugs. A great example of children not understanding sarcasm. LOL

The day was also about recognizing and accepting help when it is offered. On the first day, I almost didn't make it up the last hill but for the kindness of a French pilgrim. I was about 1/3 of the way up the hill and clinging to a post catching my breath. He came up and offered me his walking pole. At first I said no, no but he insisted, so I took it. It got me to the top. I was so grateful.

Yesterday, just before walking up the largest incline of the day there were a couple of children selling walking poles for 3 Euro. At first I thought no, and then remembered the day before and gave the young boy the 3 Euro happily. I am so grateful that I recognized and accepted this gift from HP as the trek up and down that day would have been unbearable without my new pole. I am sure that I will have this to the end now. 

This is truly a trip of a lifetime

Lauralee

PS: I think of my trainer, Rebecca from Anytime Fitness, everyday and I am so thankful for the months of training we did together. Another gift that I accepted and I am now so grateful.

In the Basque Country

...the road is made by walking.

Antonio Machado [1875 - 1939]

Day 1 - Absolutely Unforgettable

What an amazing day!!! 31 km on my Fitbit. I almost thought I wouldn't make it. When you are walking up hill you keep thinking you are at the top. But the top never comes.

These pictures are about an hour out of St. Jean Pied de Port.

About 2 hours later, I was struggling and then I can across water barrel. It gave me a burst of energy to get to this top of the hill. Shortly after I decided to take a break and eat my apple from breakfast and a bit of cheese. Little did I know about one km down the road was an albergue and I got coffee. It was the same place Martin Sheen stops at in the movie.

The animals were every where, cows, sheep, horses. And border collie puppies hard at work. I loved this mother and her foal. She crossed right in front of me. It reminded me of my boys.

I was really tired at the end of the day. I started at 7:30 and I think we rolled into the albergue around 5:00, a 9 1/2 hour day. Apparently this is the most difficult day of the whole walk. So I am good to go now.  I did take some Tylenol as soon as I got my bed.

Dinner is at 7:00 and I am so hungry.

I have to just mention the amazing people I am meeting. There is a group of high school students from Texas, a lovely woman also from Texas who celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary the day before she left, a father-daughter who I ran into late in the day, and a recent English Major graduate who quoted Milton's Paradise Lost. 

This is truly a trip of a life time and I am feeling such gratitude to have this opportunity.

I miss you all

Love 

Lauralee

Paris to St. Jean Pied de Port

1...2....3 here we go....

One more sleep and I am officially walking the Camino.  I arrived in St. Jean Pied de Port after a full day of train travel. I followed some pilgrims who looked like they knew where they were going and eventually found my way to my first albergue.  It's called Gite Azkorria. I have three room mates. A woman from Brazil and a father-daughter team from Wales.

I have not mentioned my cpap machine but I am hoping to fall asleep when all are out. 😉

I picked up my credentials and my shell. I also found a little shop and picked up cheese, almonds, water, a nectarine and a banana.

Then found a garden restaurant to have my first pilgrim meal for $12 euro.

It's 8:30 and I am ready for bed. It will be an early day again tomorrow. I want to start before 7:00 am to give myself lots of time to get through the 25 km tomorrow.

Wish me luck

Lauralee 

WOW... Can I just put that out there first?

So getting out of the house was an adventure. I looked at my plane ticket on Tuesday night and realized I was going to be at the airport way too early. So I readjusted all the times and when Kira and William dropped me off, I had missed my flight to Montreal 😂. Claiming ignorance of not getting the email confirmation from my travel agent they rebooked me on to the next flight and all went back into alignment. (My travel agent had sent me the information, I had read it wrong and thought it was about my flight home)

The flight to Paris was uneventful. Upon arriving and seeing the armed military walking around the airport was a little disconcerting however I am determined to not give into fear and I just kept walking. I found where my train leaves from for tomorrow and where the shuttle to my hotel was suppose to do pick ups and drop offs. So I waited. First inside the covered area then outside on the breezy damp platform - it's raining here btw.  I asked each shuttle driver as they arrived if they went to my hotel and they all said no. Just as I had given up I saw a shuttle but he was in the wrong place so I gave up and went to the taxi stand. 

After paying $15 to the taxi driver, I saw the last shuttle driver there at the hotel. We laughed and just made a joke. I like contributing to the French economy. 

I know now where I need to be in the morning and I will be well rested for the train ride to St. Jean Pied de Port.

I have had a chat with Kira and William on FaceTime. And I have emailed and texted many of you. My phone plan is working wonderfully.

So far so good. I am sitting down now to do a little journaling to keep my many emotions in check and I read this quote by Matin Luther King and it seemed very fitting for my journey:

"Faith is taking the first step, even though you can't see the whole staircase."

Thanks for all your support.

Lauralee

9 hours 40 minutes to Lift-off

Hi everyone:

I am so excited I can hardly contain myself. I have packed and unpacked and packed again. I am done trying to think of ways to save weight. Short of losing 5 lbs myself in the next 12 hours.

Here is a picture of my pack all laid out...again.

And another attempt at using the selfie stick which sent me into a fit of giggles when it was all done. The selfie stick has to make the cut.

I am beyond grateful for this opportunity. This is an adventure I only dreamed of 5 years ago and to have it actually coming true now is nothing short of amazing.

I did revise my saying "If I can walk 15km, I can walk 20km and if I can walk 20km I can walk 25."  My friend, Martin and I walked with a group of friends a couple of weekends ago and I had a total of 22 km when I was done for the day (as Avro and I had walk 5km early that morning). So the new saying is "If I can walk 15km, I can walk 20 and if I can walk 20 km, I can walk 25 with the help of Tylenol."

My next post will be from Europe. So we will all see what happens next.

Thank you all for your well wishes, thoughts and prayers, it means so much to me. You are all in my thoughts and prayers too and I will have a long list requests when I get to the foot of St James.

Love Lauralee

Selfie stick practice

So I am absolutely moving out of my comfort zone. 

My colleagues have encouraged me to bring a selfie stick and Mallory has given me one to take with me. Here is the first picture, note how natural and comfortable Mallory and Naomi are in this picture.

 Since these are practice photos, I am hoping to be more natural by the end of my trip.

Lauralee