Category Archives: Uncategorized

Set off from Pamplona at 645 in the morning. 24k to Puenta de la Reina, it was a very long hot day. We were 8 hours getting to Puenta de Reina with several stops along the way. My feet and knee are really making my walking difficult now. More climbing and rocky descent are tough on the feet and knee. Four of us got an apartment in Puenta de la Reina for 20 euro each, centre of town, it was perfect after long day. It was like a MASH unit set up fixing feet and blisters before the next morning.

The next morning started out at 615 towards Estella, trying the beat the heat of the day. It was 21k to Estella. Whenever locals tell you it’s a flat walk do not believe them! The hill outside of Puenta de la Reina was never ending and just got steeper and steeper! Stopping a couple times along the way for food and water. Made it to Estella by 2. Caught up with the rest of the gang here in Estella and we all enjoyed a lively dinner and drinks. Saturday night in Estella, a festival going on. Fire works and music, it’s a beautiful town. Staying at the Agora Hostel, it is great! Finally a bottom bunk and very clean.

I have until Wednesday morning to get to Lograno so I’ve decided to stay here another night, my feet, knee and hip are very sore and hopefully will thank me for an extra day of rest.

Javier – Seattle – (conveniently he speaks Spanish) He plans to complete the entire Camino by end of October

Coby – California – she plans to complete the entire Camino by the end of October

Judy – Toronto – her second Camino, cancer survivor, she is walking the entire for the 2nd time in 2 years

Mark – San Francisco – his 2nd Camino in 2 years, walking the entire Camino. He also walked Portugal Way this last June

Becky – Seattle – Mark’s sister, her 1st Camino, she is walking entire Camino with Mark

Beth and Larry – New Hampshire – retired couple walking the entire Camino for the first time

Chris and Lauren – Pennsylvania – their first Camino, they finished in Pamplona and travelling to Portugal for a break before returning home to the US

John and Anna – Seattle – travelling with Chris and Lauren. They finished in Pamplona but with plans to come back and complete. They are making their way to Portugal before returning to US

Darren – England – he is walking for 8 days, his first Camino

Alan – New Zealand – newly retired, plans to walk the entire Camino

Janet – PEI/NS – her 1st Camino, plans to walk the entire Camino although may be pressed for time

Sheila and Carl – Ottawa – their first Camino. Sheila is walking the entire Camino, Carl will walk with her until Oct 5th. I wish I could stay and walk with her to the end

Sadly, I didn’t get a picture of all of us

Roncesvallas to Zulbin was aprox 22k. Very tough terrain, steep inclines and steep declines. It took forever. When I arrived at the albergue I must have looked that pathetic that the owner took my hikers off for me!! Room with 10 people, my 3rd night on a top bunk, but I was so thankful to be finished for the day. I find it difficult to sleep in the albergue. Met 2 girls from Northern Ireland, I called them the Derry Girls – the show on Netflix.

My knees are taking a beating, the declines have been so steep and hard on the ol’ knees. Most say that these were the toughest 3 days of the Camino – one can dream!

Shared my evening meal with the people I’ve meet in the first night, we’ve really bonded as a group and have lots of laughs in the evening over dinner and wine.

Zulbin – Pamplona 19.2k. I normally get started walking between 715 and 745. It’s nice to start early fo be done by the time the afternoon heat is really strong. This was much better terrain today, still some climbing but nothing like the last 3 days. The last 10k were tough, I was very tired and started getting my first blister on the back of my heel.

The morning I started in St Jean I met a couple from Ottawa at breakfast, they were started the following morning but they did the full first day to Roncesvallas, so they caught up to me on the trail today, a wonderful couple. We chatted for a while while walking and then ran into them in Pamplona and shared a drink with them both.

I’ve decided to stay 2 nights in Pamplona, I need a rest day. I was torn about this as I will not see the group I’ve bonded with over the last 4 days. A few are staying but most moving on. Some may take a rest day in Estella so I could see them again. We all had dinner last night again, we are a tired group! Exchanged contact details and lots have said they will be east to visit me!

I’m going to explore a little bit of Pamplona today, not sure how this old body will hold up!

Day 1 and 2 complete. Started first day in heavy downpour and was soaked before I got out of St Jean, the 8k to Orisson was brutal. All up hill, very steep inclines, at times I was very doubtful I would make it. I may have fell over with my knapsack on me a couple times…in the dirt! Was thankful I decided to stay in Orisson first night, I would not have made it to Roncevallas in that weather. Met so many great encouraging people on my walk and last night at pilgrim dinner in Orisson alberuge. Some doing the entire Camino and some parts like myself. We all had to introduce ourselves and say what brought us here, some were very emotion, inspiring and funny. Met folks from all over the world and walks of life. And have come to find out that people love Nova Scotia, lots want to visit. I’ve been promoting my Airbnb!

Today from Orisson to Roncevallas was 17k, mostly uphill. It is 24k from SJPP to Roncevallas, 16k is uphill. It was absolutely stunning, from the sunrise in the mountains to the top of the Pyrenees.

The albergue in Roncevallas tonight is nice and clean. Had a great pilgrim meal of trout and potatoes, and wine for 2 euro!!!

A few pics of my last 2 days. This has been very challenging but a great experience.