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Week 7

After 502 miles, and 47 days we arrived at our destination, the Basilica of Santiago. It ends with a sense of satisfaction yet sadness. I received my Compostela, the certificate certifying my completion The basilica is an enormous building visible from about 6 miles away on top of a hill. I did concelebrate mass at
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Week 6

Thursday this week we crossed another mountain range. This stage is considered by many to be the most difficult of the Camino. Actually I believe the second day we walked was more difficult. Perhaps because we weren’t broken in yet. We actually reached the highest point on the French Way of the Camino. A gentleman
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Week 5

This week the journey consisted pretty much of 10 -13 mile days. On Thursday we hit the highest point on the French Way of the Camino at 4915 feet. The climbing wasn’t as difficult as the decent. For about 6 miles we decended down steep slopes with loose rock, and rough and uneven terrains. One
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Week 4

We hit the half way point on Wednesday. Compared 75 miles this week for a total of 296 miles or 59% of the journey. As we left the town of Mansilla of the Mules we crossed the Esla River via a 17th-century bridge. In addition we later crossed a Roman bridge, known as the Puente
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Week 3

Our journey this week covered 76.8 miles. The longest week so far and included 2 17 mile days. I find the walks are a bit longer than indicated in our itinerary. Both of these days were listed as 15+ miles. Maybe I stagger to much and don’t walk in a straight line. The hardest part
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Week 2

We walked 75 miles this week for a total of 144 miles. Most days in the 12-13 mile.tange. We also Hit our longest walk of nearly 17 miles. Balanced out by our shortest day of 6 miles also this week. We passed through grape vineyards and Wheat fields. Mostly flat but a few hefty 10%
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Week 1

A difficult week. The first two days covered 15 miles over the Pyrenees Mountains. Mostly up long and steep hills. From St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles. Mental and spiritual strain as difficult as the physical. We decided to take a day off on Thursday so took a bus to our next town. The
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The Dream

The idea of walking the 500 mile French Way of the Camino came to me many years ago. My sister and I talked about doing it the first year after my retirement which would have been 2022. When I developed some serious arthritis in my ankle from a break 25 years ago I gave up
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