Category Archives: Two sisters and a Camino

The weather was perfect for crossing up and over the Pyrenees. Sunny, a bit of a breeze, not to warm. You couldn’t ask for anything better! The views were impressive, almost Heidi-like with large dairy cows with huge bells tied around their necks, ponies and sheep. An older man with two elderly sheep dogs walkedContinue reading “Day 2, Sept 28 – Orisson to Ronsevalles”

We start walking from Cathy and Tauno’s AirBnB to the start of The Camino. I was embarrassed to be seen. I had my backpack on plus I was carrying a day pack on my front. Other pilgrims would be horrified to see us so overloaded. But it was only a ten minute walk to theContinue reading “Day 1, Sept 27. St Jean Pied de Port to Orisson”

We left Tauno just after 8:00 am. He will catch a bus to Pamplona and see us there a few days from now. Liz’s brilliant idea of paying to have our packs transported was our next task. We would thank the heavens for that idea many times.We hiked to town and delivered our packs toContinue reading “Day 1 – Orrison- Cathy’s View”

They say your pack should weigh between 10-12% of your body weight. I am wishing I had gained some weight. And the formula is probably written by and intended for men around 180-200lbs. I will confess right off the bat that my pack is overweight. Way overweight. It is 21 lbs. That’s about 5 lbsContinue reading “Packing woes”

I can tell you that Tauno and I have nothing nearly as dramatic to tell about in our adventures so far. We are staying in a lovely Basque house which is only a ten minute walk to the center of the village of St Jean-Pied-de-Port. This picture is the view from our kitchen table. WeContinue reading “Waiting”

I made it to YVR still smelling of eau d’otter and ran into David and Victoria, friends who were on their way to London but had an earlier plane. They didn’t seem to notice anything unusual so that was a good sign. Victoria loves to walk and both she and David seem very intrigued byContinue reading “An Omen?”

The plan was for Tauno and I to arrive a few days earlier than Liz in order to acclimatise and explore St Jean-Pied-De-Port and have a few days together before I head out with Liz on our journey. We boarded the train at Bayonne for St Jean-Pied-Port a few minutes early which good. 15 minutesContinue reading “First Arrival”

I almost got derailed before I even started. Everything seemed just fine when I woke with plenty of time. Did a double check of gear, had a coffee, took the compost out, packaged the recycling and garbage,Yada Yada Yada. Got to the boat to find 9, nine, yes nine river otters had peed and $#@!Continue reading “Up to my neck in $#@!”

I know all the arguments for NOT taking technology but I AM taking my techno toys with me. My tablet weighing in at 471 grams; Phone at 170 grams; charger, cords, power adapter and ear phones 132 grams and power storage block and spare battery 184 grams. That all adds up to 947 grams ofContinue reading “Technology”

Liz started the conversation with an appealing walk, lose some weight and sample the great tapas and wine Spain has to offer. It sounded like a great way to see  and enjoy the local Spanish life and find some physical benefits as well. She had a wealth of information to enlighten me on the walk.Continue reading “Panic Sets In”