I am a mess! Let’s just get that out of the way.
It has been a whirl wind month. Not good, nor bad, just busy and emotionally and mentally challenging. With that, I have not been very focussed on my trip and feel like I am a bit behind with preparation; but I guess I am as ready as I will ever be. I’ve had a few moments of frustration, but I’ve decided that none of it matters except to get there and start walking.
My pack is a little heavier than I want it to be. With age, more necessities, like recovery drinks for more days, vitamins, KT tape for my heel spur (tendenitis) and medicine. I’ve only walked the French way in the summer, so I did not need clothes that were as heavy but all is going to be fine and I will be walking starting September 4 from Saint Jean Peid au Port.
I leave from Seattle at 3:40 pm tomorrow headed to Iceland, Heathrow, and then bus to Gatwick. I am overnighting at the airport in a room that looks like a berth on a train, then off the next morning at 7 am for Biarritz, France to meet a shuttle to St. Jean Pied au Port; the start of my next journey on the Camino Frances.
I have a bit of a bonus because these two are flying into Biarritz at the same time as I am and we are sharing the ride to St. Jean Pied au Port. We booked flights without each knowing when we were going, and have even ended up staying at the same Albergue in town.
They will head out the next morning for a longer walk than I am taking the first day; so I will be behind them by a day, but the Camino always has a way of rejoining friends somewhere along the way!❤️
This is my first solo trip. I am looking forward to a bit a solitude although I know that my “Camino Family” will start forming very early on. It is interesting with these relationships that grow from the Camino; in two days you might feel like you have know someone for a lifetime, then not see them for many days. Somehow we always end in Santiago together to celebrate.
I will have an especially exciting end to my Camino. Six of my friends will be gathering on the last 100 miles to walk into Santiago with me, and Maria (my Danish daughter) will again join me for a short visit at the end.
Nancy and her
pup who will be
waiting at home
One of my best
friends, Vini
My daughter-in-laws:
Chase & April
Lynnette and her
childhood friend
Julie
My Maria❤️
And so it begins….
You must be incredibly excited
Wow…..so happy for this next leg of your walking journey. Thanks for keeping us informed and post lots of pics. Wishing you renewed energy and strong legs!! You are an amazing woman!! ❤️
I am always hopeful😎🥰🤣
I am always hopeful🤣🥰😎
Candi…WOoHOO! Safe travels for you and we will see you in Biarritz!! Buen Camino!
Excited to see you in two days!
Will be following your journey, we leave Sunday for Scotland, Ireland, Wales , GB. an Northern Ireland. My niece, Pascale, has joined your Blog, says you are Bad Ass and hopes you will inspire her. Pascale is celebrating 50 this year and walking like we did in 2010 from Sarria to Santiago with Kathy. She is a nurse practitioner, married late and has 2 kids still at home for a lot of years. Hugs, wish I could be part of this, I would have joined in at Sarria with the others if w had not booked this trip 2 years in advance.
You have a wonderful trip also! If you get bored at the end of your cruise 🤣come and join me.