Marilyn's Odyssey: On the Camino!

Met up with my fellow group of travellers yesterday afternoon and could not have hand picked a better bunch. Everyone is enthused, friendly and ready to hit the trail. The Marly Tour group are so warm and welcoming and very well organized. They have thought of everything right down to special foot cream. We went by Mercedes tour bus to Roncesvalles where we had some time to explore around this small but very significant village on the Camino. In the evening we attended a pilgrim mass at the old church. Even though most of it was not understandable due to language constraints it was very moving. At the end they called up all pilgrims(everyone at the service) for a special blessing and a beautiful song sung by the four priests. There was more than one teardrop in the crowd.

This morning was the real start of this great adventure. We awoke to pouring rain which did not dampen any spirits. For those who know me well you know that I do not like being out in the rain so my eagerness to start walking in the wet was a bit of a miracle in itself. We covered eighteen kms today from Roncesvalles to Alto de Erro. The trail varied from winding trails through the woods, rocky pathes, roads through very small towns and some muddy areas due to the rain. There were a lot of ups and downs just to make it interesting. With the misty shrouded Pyrennes in view we were often serenaded by the sound of cow bells from the many farm areas we passed through. The walk itself was really different as sometimes I walked on my own which was very pleasant time for reflection and then for awhile would walk with someone from our group or another pilgrim on the trail. Chatted with people from Ireland and Germany amongst others. Fascinating group. The appeal of a cold beer loomed as the walk neared the end for the day and I was very pleased that myself and the other Marilyn in our group were the first two to finish with some coming in over an hour after.

We are back in Pamplona tonight where we will do doubt partake of some more pinchos washed don with some wine. We have a long climb tomorrow so should be challenging.

Start of the trail in Roncevalles