Set out after breakfast and farewells with a pack lunch in my backpack. This morning I also enlisted in international WiFi to get data while I walk. Not for surfing the web, in general, but if places start filling up I’ll want to be able to look at websites of the hostels and hotels ahead on the trail. $35 for ten days. Bargain.
I knew that the worst part of what is typically all day one was behind me. The first third of the typical day one had about 18,000 steps but also went up 59 floors, with a full pack. The second two thirds had more steps (over 25k) but only a 14 floor incline. Huge difference.
Cattle started and ended my hike.
And were very present in between, along with free-range horses and sheep. Yes, back in the country where horses wear bells and roam free.
Met Guy and Elga not far down the road.
And had a few conversations along the way with other folks I’ve met – only a couple days now into this venture.
Stopped for a bit at the statue that overlooks a valley. Apparently a couple who had stayed in the Orisson Refuge had lost their 15 year old son to a brain aneurism last year. They had talked about it at the pilgrim dinner. And this morning they left a memorial card at the statue. A fellow pilgrim walked up while I was there and knew the story. I looked around in the area and found an unburned candle and asked a pilgrim with a give-away cough for a lighter.
Moments later the grey skies opened up and sunlight streamed through to the site. Stunning.
Shortly after the French / Spanish border clouds again rolled in and I found myself is a spitting rain.
Was glad to finally see the monastery in the distance after the clouds cleared. From this point – it was still 3+ km away.
Signed up for the 7:00 seating of dinner at the monastery and hoping for an early night.
More later…
I’m walking for charity:water. You’re welcome to join me. 🙂
https://www.charitywater.org/marilyn-peterson/marilyn-s-camino-for-water-2026
