7 Nov 2011 - Off to The Camino tomorrow!

I've finally packed and managed to get my pack weight down to 6 kilos, having taken the plunge and invested in lightweight gear. I'm expecting extremes of weather and have packed accordingly. Having walked in Galicia at Christmas when it was warm enough to wear a t-shirt you just never know. I'll land in Biarritz at tomorrow evening and get a cab to St. Jean Pied de Port, in the Pyrenees, from where I'll start walking on Wednesday morning, unless I decide to to look around St. Jean for the day.

9th November 2011 - The first day

Leaving St. Jean Pied de Port and crossing the Pyrenees
via Route Napoleon to Roncesvalles.

The view South-ish and distant snowy peaks.

                                     

10 Nov. Roncesvalles to Larrasoana

Leaving Burgete after early rain.

Zubiri

Entering Larrasoana

11 Nov. Larrasoana to Pamplona.

Entering Trinidad de Arre

Cafe in Trinidad de Arre

The city walls of Pamplona

Pamplona cafe.

12 Nov. Pamplona to Puenta la Reina

approaching the Alto de Perdon and a menacing bank of fog.

Sculpture on the Alto de Perdon.

Pepper roasting in Puenta la Reina.

 

The church to which the alburgue is attached in Puenta la reina.

13 Nov Puenta la Reina to Los Arcos

Left Puenta at 5.30. 7.30 sunrise at Cirauqui.

Breakfast stop.

 

Free wine fountain!

      

14 Nov Los Arcos to Logrono

Track, road and vineyard near Torres del Rio (La Rioja region).
Interesting ramshackle house at the entrance to Logrono and its very friendly dog.

16 Nov Logrono to Najera

Today was the best so far. It was a hilly walk through a beautifull landscape of Olive groves and Riojan vinyards surrounded by mountains. The sun shone and it was warm.

Spanish soldiers on the Camino.

Olive harvest.

Thousands of crosses woven into about 5 K of roadside fencing.

Approaching Najera