Date: Friday, 30 May 2025.
Day: 30
From: Ostabat-Asme To: St Jean Pied de Port
Start Walking: 643am End Walking: 1113am
Time: 4h23m
Distance (Planned): 22.2km Distance (Garmin): 21.01km
Progress: 768.9/765km
Ascent: 382m Descent: 373m
Weather: Clear and too damn hot, even at 8am!
General Comments:
• Done and dusted!
• I think we broke all sorts of records this morning to get to St Jean Pied de Port! You see the train company cancelled our train from St Jean Pied de Port to Bayonne this afternoon and we either had to catch the early train or wait until after 5pm for the next service. You can guess which option The Husband wanted!
• So we scooted along this morning like mad things. Not really the introspective and relaxing way I intended to spend my last walking day, but I guess it got us out of the heat sooner.
• There wasn’t a lot of interesting stuff to share with you today, except the ever-present and ever-imposing Pyrenees. I’m glad I’m not climbing those mountains tomorrow!
• Yes, I am sad that the adventure is over. I think a few days rest and I would be ready to go up and over the Pyrenees and continue on through Spain. That may not be a wise course of action for my marriage though! 🤣🤣
• And now I will leave you peace for a while. You have all been very patient with my physical and verbal ramblings, and I do appreciate your support. Thanks for the likes, comments and fine-weather wishes and most importantly, thanks for the friendship. Time for a wee rest for this weary walker.
Top Tips:
• Make friends with French people. It can be very handy to have them decipher unexpected messages from train companies.
A final Bon Chemin to you all.
Life...one big adventure 
Congrats!! Will The Husband ever go with you again after this? 😊 Maggie
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No, I think he is ‘cured’ of long distance walks!! 🙂
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Congratulations, you made it ! For health reasons, I had to give up walking the Camino, but I enjoyed reading your posts and remembering my own experience.
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Many thanks for your support. I hope it brought back some happy memories for you and fingers crossed, you can return to the Chemin again one day. Have a great weekend. Mel
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Oh, well done Mel. I cannot imagine walking day after day for 30 days. I hope you are going to have a holiday now and spend some relaxing time in France before heading back home. Bien fait mon amie 🇫🇷
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Merci beaucoup, Jude. Yes, rest time now before the long flight home tomorrow. I realize this sort of walking is definitely not everyone’s cuppa, but it it resonates with me. I will have to do some pondering to work out why!🤣 Thanks for your support, comments and likes. Melx
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Big hug to you both on filling that resilience bucket. You’ve both had an amazing walking experience filled with laughter, good views and lots of pastries. Enjoy the rest, Mel xx
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Thanks so much, Suzanne. It really has been amazing, although I think the Husband is cured of this sort of ‘holiday’!🤣🤣 I hope things are ticking along O.K. with you. Xx
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Congratulations Mel & Al. Well done! Thanks for having us along on your latest camino journey. Have loved looking at your photos, reading the anecdotes and being part of your ups and downs! Now go and relax for a few days – please!!!!
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Doing our best on the relaxation front although still waking up at 530am! At least we don’t have to get up and start walking!🚶♀️🚶♀️😁
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is that you and your husband at the door in StJPdP? Bravo..you made it. Hot weather can be a challenge. Do you prefer rain? BTW, we also had a change with the train when leaving STJPdP in 2019… and we also were going to Bayonne where we spent 2 nights before going to Bordeaux. Thanks for all the info you give in your blog. You are amazing to do it all while on the Chemin. take care Mel
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Yes, that’s us. An ‘after’ photo to go with our photo on the steps of the Le Puy cathedral. Unfortunately, I am picky and hate both the heat and the rain, and try to avoid walking in either!🤣 Thanks for following along. I hope it brought back some happy memories for you. Mel
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Memories are good. Rain or shine, the pilgrims walk!! I believe we got to be mentally prepared for everything.
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Yep, just roll with it – one foot in front of the other.
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and thanks for all the photo also. After 6 years I am still on the Camino ( in mind) while I post one photo a day on Instagram -from our walk on this Camino. 😉
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Yes, I get that. These sorts of experiences really stay with you and I think I will be recalling this adventure for many years to come.
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Of course, you will but you have many many other adventures, walking adventures. Anything else planned for this year ?
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Yes, a few other walks planned – all in Aus. Some just day walks plus a 19 day adventure, but that one will depend on the availability of water. Also a 7day bike ride and a few other bits and bobs. Life is good.😁🥰
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Wow. You never stop ! Enjoy your adventures and I am sure I will read about them on your blog.
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I gotta make the most of a healthy and willing body! I am sure one day my knees will give up the ghost!! 🙂
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For sure, we got to do what we feel is right and nobody can predict what the next few years will be. Stay healthy and keep doing what makes you happy.
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Same to you!
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Congratulations on yet another Camino. I’ve really enjoyed following along Mel.
Enjoy a well earned rest.
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Thanks, Kay. It’s been an absolute cracker. Can’t wait to hear what you guys are planning next. Mel
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We’ve got no plans Mel. Any ideas I did have we’ve cancelled. We’ve moved into a new house in an over 50’s and we love it. I feel like I’m on holiday here so we thought we’d settle into our new environment for a while. Sooner or later I’ll get itchy feet though. Until then I’ll continue to enjoy reading all about your travels.
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Good one. Sometimes it’s also nice just to stay put and enjoy your own space. I’ll be doing a little of that soon. 😁
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Congratulations, lovely photos and such strong walkers!!!
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Thanks for the kind words. A whole lot of luck and determination! 😁😉
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Wohoooo!. Well done Mel. Hope you enjoyed it. It looked fabulous. Have to say 60 looks great on you…..Sixty & still Spicy! Looking forward to seeing when you get home. Love Dal XXXX
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Thanks, Dal – the whole thing has been spectacular. And I’m not officially 60 until I touch down in Aus! 🤣🤣 I’m going to keep avoiding it for as long as possible. Yep, I’m dreamin’! See you soon. Xxx
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Félicitations, bravo! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 xx
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Merci beaucoup, mon ami. Xx
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Absolutely well done to you and Husband 👏👏! Bon Chemin … until the next adventure!
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Merci beaucoup! I think I will have a little rest now….and then start planning the next adventure! 😁😁
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How wonderful – a huge congrats (and even huger glass of wine) to you both!
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What is this glass business? Pass me the bloody bottle!🤣🤣
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Yay! Congratulations to you both from us both! Well done! Have a final croissant for me. Then go rest. You’ve earned it.
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Ta. It has been a very relaxing few days before we start the even bigger trek home tonight. The challenge at the moment is to NOT eat like we have 25km to walk today! So, while those croissants are incredibly tempting, I think I will have to abstain…or that is what I tell myself until I come face to face with one!😉
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Congratulations 👏🎉 on finishing a fine walk and a big thank you for your account of the experience!
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That’s my pleasure. Thanks so much for following along. Happy trails to you. Mel
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He looks a game sort of chap, but I would have wanted to spend a bit of time in St. Jean. Selfish, I know. You seemed to enjoy the trip, Mel, and it was more relaxed than your usual. One of these days our paths might cross. Boa viagem xx
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And I look forward to the day they do cross, Jo. We will make an A walking team! 🥰 Melx
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xx
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🚶♀️🚶♀️💕
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What a beautiful walk! Congratulations. Love the sheep.
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Many thanks. It has to be the most consistently beautiful walk I have ever done…except maybe for one or two here in Aus. Have a great weekend.
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Great recommendation.
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Hopefully my photos portray some of that beauty.
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They did to me, thanks.
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Ta.
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Farm animals on parade! Love this! 💕
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Yep, they all seemed to have places to go! 🙂
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Congratulations Mel! Thirty days walking is a proper adventure 😀 are you (have you?) headed home or stayed on in Europe for a bit?
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Yes, home now and battling jetlag and Winter! Get me back to France ASAP! 🙂
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The world is a perfectly balanced place isn’t it, you’re approaching mid winter as we’re approaching mid summer! I’m glad I don’t live on the equator though, I quite like the seasons ❄️🌼🌞🍂
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Agreed. Where I live has 4 distinct seasons too…it’s just a bit of a shock to go from 34C to 4C in a matter of days! 🙂 First World Problem, I know!
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As an Everest trekker, I know how much weather and tough conditions test your limits. How did the early heat on the Camino affect your pace and energy compared to high-altitude challenges? What kept you motivated through those long days—any tips you’d share from your experience?
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We just make sure we have early starts so that the bulk of the walking day is completed in the cooler temperatures. That is not always possible, so hydration and frequent rests are the key. Sometimes you just have to put your head down and push through. Have a good day.
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Great approach! Early starts really make a difference, and staying hydrated with regular breaks is so important. Sometimes pushing through those tough moments is what makes the journey memorable. Wishing you an amazing and safe day ahead!
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And wishing you a happy weekend!
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Well done to you and the ‘Husband’. I can identify with how a walk like this could test a relationship. I have enjoyed your words and photos at no effort to myself to join you on your walk.
Now that I have recovered from a hernia surgery which has wrecked our travel plans this year I am getting ready to re-plan doing part of the Portuguese Coastal Camino next year – just enough to do some of it without my wife saying never again. Cheers, Mark
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Many thanks for your kind words. I am longing to be back on the trail, but reality has kicked in! 🙂 I can recommend the coastal path in Portugal. It’s absolutely stunning to be walking with the breaking waves on your lefthand side. Enjoy the planning and bom caminho to you!
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Travel plus life has caused me to fall behind on WordPress, so please excuse the delay. I hope to catch up on the other days of your journey soon. But for now, congrats on finishing the camino!
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All good and no pressure. I have fallen down my own rabbit hole of late! 🙂 Take care, Mel
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