Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Day: 28
From: Navarrenx To: Aroue
Start Walking: 731am End Walking: 1258pm
Time: 4h27m
Distance (Planned): 19.5km Distance (Garmin): 18.8km
Progress: 725.9/765km
Ascent: 271m Descent: 299m
Weather: Clear and too hot again.
Stayed At: Gite Bortu Lilia
General Comments:
• Well, absolutely nothing startling happened today and it was still a very pleasant day strolling through France.
• We did have a slower start and a slower walk today as we had a much shorter distance to cover and usually we can’t get into our gites until around 3pm. The thing that did spur us on a little was the heat, which was building with every hour. By Australian standards, the temperatures were probably fairly mild, but with the heat radiating off the tar roads and carrying a backpack up hill in the direct sunshine, that probably adds about 10°C, I reckon.🥵🥵
• Our slower start meant that we saw a lot more people on the trail too. Perhaps on previous days we have been ahead of this bubble of people. Everyone was happy and chatty – maybe due to the shorter stage distance and also because for many of us, our goal is in sight.
• A very pleasant surprise this morning as we were leaving Navarrenx. Behind us I could hear the clip clip of horse’s hooves. When I turned around, it was the same man on his horse and cart that we had met last week. He gave us an enthusiastic hello and we cheered him on as he passed. I’m not sure if he is going to St Jean Pied de Port, but it would be wonderful if our paths crossed again at the end of our journey.
• One thing I have noticed a lot in the last few weeks are plantings of new trees in small rest areas and other places adjacent to the trail. Reading the sign, it said that these trees had been planted by the Friends of the Camino/Chemin Association and they are planting ancient fruit tree varietals. I think I have identified a few different apple varieties and cherries. How delicious will that be for tired and hungry pilgrims in a few year’s time when the trees really start to fruit?
• Our stage was even shorter today than planned as our accommodation was located about 800m before Aroue. A few more steps to add onto tomorrow’s total. 😁
Top Tips:
• Navarrenx is a town worth spending some more time in. The old part of town features beautiful walls, very similar to the ones in Lucca, Italy. I am not sure if you can do a circuit of the whole old town walking on top of the walls, but it would be fun to try.
Bon Chemin.
Life...one big adventure 
Ohhh, 😮 a cheese truck! I would be a customer if they had them here!
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Very early on in this walk I was told by a French lady that in France you could eat a different cheese everyday and it would take 1.5years to taste every variety. Now that’s a lot of cheese!🧀🧀
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That is a lot of cheese! 🧀
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Absolutely and the French people are passionate about absolutely every crumb!
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Me too! Absolutely love cheese 😀
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It’s cheese heaven over there!
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The gate to Navarrenx is fantastic! And I’d definitely stop at a French cheese truck 😊 Maggie
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The French are just so passionate about their food, especially their cheese!
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I was looking for the horserider, but couldn’t see him. Love the photo of the wall and gate. Looks like a place to explore. And I hope you bought some cheese 🧀
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Sorry, I forgot to take a photo of the horse and cart. I will definitely do that if we meet again. Sorry, no cheese purchases for me although I did have a delicious sheep’s cheese last night!
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I just noticed that the cheese van was in your name!
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Yep, I am going to have to start signing my name with a little French accent or should that be a grave?🇫🇷🇫🇷🥐
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Definitely feels like you’re winding down, Mel. I might even have strolled along today xx
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Yes, it has that feel to it although the next couple of days could be interesting with 30-33°C forecast. Fingers crossed the hills aren’t too high in those temps. Xx
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I can’t believe you’re on your 28th day of hiking, you are so persistent! Way to go!!
🥰
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It always happens the same. In the beginning I think “what on Earth have I committed to?” and then BLINK and it’s almost over. What an experience it has been!
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The planting of heritage varieties of fruit trees for pilgrims is a wonderful initiative. We passed a long line of newly planted trees between Aire-sur-l’Adour to Arzacq-Arraziguet in 2015 – they would be fruiting well by now.
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Yes, some have small fruit on them already and they should be ready to dine on in a month or so. Lucky pilgrims.
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Ugh. I need a cheese truck near me.
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Swap Bobby for one?🤣
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Definitely not!
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🤣🤣
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Cheese trucks named after you!!! Very impressive.
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Agreed. Now for a wine bus and a chocolate van!🤣
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Loved this update from your Camino! The friendly encounters and peaceful villages really come through, especially that lovely moment with the horse and cart. The ancient fruit trees being planted for future pilgrims is such a thoughtful touch. Navarrenx sounds like a charming place — those old town walls must be beautiful. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable journey ahead. Bon chemin!
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Thanks so much. We are home now wearing our Winter woollies and this is all starting to feel like it was a dream. Such a wonderful experience.
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Welcome back! It’s amazing how quickly those special experiences can start to feel like a dream once you’re home again. Hold on to those memories — they’ll keep warming you up even in your winter woollies!
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They sure will. In the little bit of sleep I got last night, I was walking again in France! 🙂
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That’s so beautiful — the Camino still walking with you, even in your dreams! It’s like your heart’s still out there on the trail.
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Yes, I really think I could have kept going on into Spain after a few days rest…oh well, maybe next time. 🙂
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Oh, absolutely — Spain is calling! Maybe next time you’ll find the perfect stretch of the Camino to keep the magic alive.
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Definitely! There’s always another path calling my name.
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Love a French cheese truck, the perfect end to a long day walking!
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I reckon if that woman drove her cheese truck and placed it strategically along certain parts of the trail, she would make an absolute fortune! Maybe I should have suggested it to her?
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Another vote for the cheese truck. Splendid idea.
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😁 Glad I could help! I am sure the French would love to share their cheesy goodness with the UK.
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You are made to live in France Mel – even the cheese truck bears your name!
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Be careful! I really don’t need much more encouragement to tip me over the edge and move here! 🤣🤣
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What a fabulous entry gate. The daily distances you have been walking are more than we would tackle so I reckon you’d earnt a shorter distance. Cheers
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Yes, I probably over-estimated our ‘comfortable’ distance. I still think I am 40!! 🙂
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Oh, that pop-up cheese truck. Such beautiful nature and rustic history! 💯
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The French really treat their food seriously. Heaven forbid that you should be caught short without cheese! 🙂
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