You guessed it! It’s Camino time again.
Picture a map of Europe covered in paths that all funnel down to St Jean Pied de Port in South West France. In ancient times, pilgrims walked from all over Europe with the common goal of making a sacred pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Northwest Spain and thereby being absolved of their sins. I have no illusions that my sins are going to be forgiven anytime soon, but I will definitely enjoy the walk.
On this adventure, we will be ending where we started way back in 2013. I say ‘we’ because The Husband has joined me on this latest stroll. I think the siren call of all the amazing French patisseries and boulangeries was too strong for him to remain at home!😁
So, over the next 30+ days we will following the Camino or ‘Chemin’ via Podiensis for about 765km. If you say it really fast, it doesn’t hurt a bit! We do have rest days planned in Estaing, Cahors and Condom (and Yes, that is a real name of a city).
It was a very long and convoluted trip to get here – Le Puy en Velay – a true planes, trains and automobiles effort. We left home at 630am on Wednesday morning and finally arrived at our accommodation here in Le Puy at 6pm Friday evening. I am not sure what that added up to in travelling hours with all the time differences, but it was a pretty long journey. The joys of international travel! ✈
The graph below gives you an idea of the terrain we will be crossing over the next month or so. Read it from the right hand side and you will see we are starting with a BANG and climbing for the first couple of days. That should shake the cobwebs out of the legs and sort out the jetlag!
I will do my best to blog everyday so you can see what I am seeing, but that depends a little on the availability of WIFI and my energy levels. 🙂 I will also do my best to respond to your comments as speedily as time and energy allows. Apologies if my posts are even rougher than usual, just trying to keep it real!🙃
Au revoir and bon chemin (instead of buen camino).
Mel
Life...one big adventure 
I thought you were off again soon. You must have flown into Toulouse at some point? I liked that city and the surrounding terrain seemed quite flat but it wouldn’t be you without a few lumps and bumps. Is your partner in crime retired now, or just tired of being left at home? Have a fabulous time, Mel. I’ll stay tuned xx
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Hi Jo. Hard to believe I am just across the Pyrenees from you!😁 No, we flew into Paris and then trained to Lyon airport, bussed to Lyon and then trained it all the way to Le Puy. A great way to see the country. The Husband is still working, but it’s flexible and luckily for me he found a block of free time in his schedule to come for a wander. It all starts tomorrow. Thanks for joining yet another adventure. Melxx
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Bon voyage! xx
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Et bon journee to you. X
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Buen Camino! I walked from Munich to La-Côte-Saint-André (900 km – see blog) and then had to give up for health reasons. So I never made it to Le Puy. Sometimes, I am dreaming of reaching Santiago via walking the last 100 km on el Camino Inglés using baggage transfer …
Looking forward to your posts!
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Yes, I remember your beautiful photos of your Camino. You are so lucky to live so close by. Maybe it’s time to plan your final stroll into Santiago? 😉
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wow! Bon chemin… I will look forward to reading along.👣😎
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Merci beaucoup. I just hope they don’t throw me out of the country for murdering their language! 😅😁
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I’d like to meet the person who can resist the siren call of patisseries and boulangeries. I don’t think such a person exists. Bon courage and happy walking!
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Agreed and I must admit I have little willpower to resist as well! I trust all your adventure plans are falling into place. You must be getting very excited. Have a good week.
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Goodness girl, do you ever sit still? You are more restless than the restless one. I have never been tempted by a long trail, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be accompanying you as usual. Just make room for me on your shoulder, and leave some of those patisserie delights for me.
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Oh Jude, you should know me well enough by now when it comes to both walking and cake! 😁 As always your company is very welcome, but you’ll have to fight me for the 🎂🍪🍩🍰🥧! Bon soir! 🌃🌜🌜
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I’m sure you’ve only just finished the last one. You will have walked the entire world at this rate!! Looks like an amazing trail, and what better way to start than in a boulangerie. It’s the dream really!
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Ooooo – now there’s a challenge… to walk the World!😅 And Yes, French pastries are the food of champions! 🙃
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Looking forward to the updates Mel & Alan! Enjoy xx
P.S. Happy Birthday!!! 🙂
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Thanks, Di. Today is the big day on every level. Off to the Pilgrim Mass shortly and I will say a prayer for you both!🤣 Melxx
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Exciting! Good luck, I look forward to following along 😊
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Thanks Diana. I am equal parts excited and nervous. Have a great week. Mel
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Bonne courage Mel! I’ll look forward to reading your posts 😀
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Thanks Jim. If I could just shake this jetlag, I would be laughing!
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It’ll be a very different experience with your husband there. On the one hand you can instantly share things as you see them, on the other hand I am much less contemplative when I walk with another. I’m interested to hear how different it will be for you as a spiritual experience.
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Yes, it feels different already – on every level. A lot less rushed than in Spain. Hoping to get some posts done later today to share the gorgeous views. Have a good day. Mel
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How exciting! Those pastries look devine.
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They were and continue to be!😁
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They were and continue to be!😁
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oh yes , a long trip for you coming from Australia. long for me too flying from Vancouver. Enjoy it all. Eat, sleep, talk ( in French as much as you can).
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Will do!
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Go, Mel and hubby. I will enjoy your posts and reminisce about some of the places you will see, plenty of new ones too. Have fun xx
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Thanks for strolling along with us, Suzanne. I’ll save a pain an chocolat for you. Hugs, Melx
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Bon Chemin? I didn’t know that – thought it was also Buen Camino 🙂.
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Buen Camino in Spain and Bon Chemin here in France. They are all just as friendly and encouraging.
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I have scrolled all the way back here so I can devour your Camino from the start. I can see the siren call which beckons The Husband to join you. Those strawberries! those sweeties! yummmmmm
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After being home for a couple of weeks in the grip of Winter, all I want to do is start walking all over again! 🙂
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I love strawberries
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and they are even more delicious when they are super fresh!
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