Camino Francés with Thom & Luke – Sep 2023

Cross day / Cross Country blogging

The way this trek is going – we arrive mid afternoon at our Albergue – I have an hour to catch up with this journal and then that night and the following day are stories to be told.

So we have 13th and today 14th September.

Oasis that is Orrison – usual Alb’ setup but with amazing almost Alpine views .

Wish I’d taken more photos before 😊 the cloud descended. As the view across the Pyrenees from our bedroom window was spectacular…….but not today

But not today 😂

The evening meal was ….,, calorific- made memorable by Irish friends made during the afternoon terrace Craic who had more in common than you’d imagine with the 5 girls from Tasmania,

The effort made by staff to introduce people you’d now see across 500 miles across your 6 week Camino are welcome. Each person stands up after dinner and gives an intro of who , where and why they’re there.

The clouds stayed low next day as we left our Refuge and arranged to meet up tonight -,and swooped group photos.

The fabulous Irish , Northern Irish and North of Ireland ( it’s important) group 🤓

As he clouds lifted about 8.30 am the brilliant sunlight gave us cloud inversion and MoonBows

Moon Bow

The day heated up as we passed from France into Spain – in the way it was always intended- no fuss , no border , no passports

And onto the distant valley containing the remarkable Orriega d’ Roncesvalles .

Our stop for the night after 20k of mountain tracks.

400 plus floors at 10ft per floor ! BEFORE lunch to avoid the heat .

The Monastery of Roncesvalles

With Cosy sleep pods – 200 of them

And ironically ( for a monastery) a really top bar and terrace

With excellent company – L to R – Marielle / Netherlands – Thom , Luke – Jenny / Camino Veteran Heidelberg , Lemaryn ( Lemon Rain 🤣) Canada via the Veldt , Paul / Austin Texas – fellow Media brother in Arms , Moi , Ralf – Harley riding , college professor from Western Germany . The start of an exuberant evening due to trek effort , Beer and Navarren Wine Inc in the Menu Pelegríno.

Many people including the wonderful TK talking to Thom in block 5 – not often you meet the daughter of direct Native American descent – Camino people- love ‘em all.

Xxxxx

4 thoughts on “Cross day / Cross Country blogging

  1. Kate Spanswick says:

    Fabulous photos, Eeyore. Thom & Luke look so happy. Hope the feet are all good?
    Xxxx

    Sent from my iPhone

  2. Ciara says:

    So sociable, how wonderful, I love the look of the Irish northern Irish and Tasmanian ladies. I’m sure there will be many laughs along the way..

  3. Robin says:

    Looks spectatcular as you passed over the border. Safe journey all

  4. kileen says:

    Great blog Ian. You , Thom & Luke are the very best of craic & we loved your company & that of our new Camino friends in Orrison & Roncesvalles. Great times. There’s a video of the Orrison dance routine 😂😂😂
    Eileen (North of Ireland
    😁)

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