My daughter,  my coach, told me I’ve got this.   I am 2/3 of the way UP!   Thank goodness there is a refuge.  Unlike most, I’ve stopped for un cafe au lait and wifi.

The weather is perfect after rain last night.  A little  cool,  clear and now sunny.   Such good fortune!  I had a soulful gaze with a beautiful cow and almost cried.  Apparently my emotions are running high.

Was so excited to see my first flock of sheep!

Elizabeth, thank you for believing in me.

I made it to the Camino “gateway” this afternoon.   Staying in a wonderful hostel with only 4 beds in my room, 3 women, and private showers.  And we each get a locker and a little shelf with an outlet for charging.

Walked about 7 miles today, hoping that makes tomorrow’s trek up, but not all the way over, the Pyrenees easier than it seems it will be.   This town reminds me a bit of Cusco in Peru, except there are many older people.  Very hilly.  Beautiful.

Found the *best* spice shop.  It smelled so good!  On the drive in, saw signs for the “Rabbit Forest.”  I wish I knew what that is.

To sleep, for tomorrow I trek.

Went to the sea this morning.  Wild on one side of town ; nice waves on the other.  Had a yummy breakfast, including pan au chocolate and cafe.

Took the bus to the airport to get the van to St. Jean, where I am now.   I’m the first person in my gite, so have a coveted botttom bunk in a room with only 4 beds.

Off to do some sightseeing in this very hilly medieval town.

Having trouble with the site, so only one pic.

 Nothing like seeing giraffes at Heathrow airport.

So, it is almost 11 pm on Wednesday.  Travel took from 1pm Tuesday until 730 pm today:  Jax to Dallas to London to Biarritz.  This is a delightful seaside town.  The salt air smells great, and a significant thunderstorm made it seem cozy.  Very glad I am staying in town rather than at the airport, where I return tomorrow to take a van to St. Jean.  I hope to wake up early enough to sightsee a tiny bit before leaving the coast.

Met a few peregrinos on the flight to Biarritz.  I think we were all tired, nervous and excited.  I hope to see them again, but we’re all getting to our starting point different ways and at different times.

For now, stretching out on my back is luxurious!   I hope someday to fly business class when I go overseas.

I am happy, as the venture begins.

I leave my home in a few hours.  I am beyond excited – some butterflies and high expectations.   I wish the flights weren’t such a slog, but much of this walk will be a slog, so this will be good practice in going with the flow.

So I’ve taken the obligatory photos of my gear, both unpacked and packed.  Wish me luck!