Besides the jail like cell last night I had a great sleep after the day of train travel! And escaped in search of a coffee around 7am…all very well to prove a coffee cup, sachet of instant coffee, but without any means of boiling water or milk it wasn’t going to give me my morning wake up call I needed!
The sky was overcast…the air was damp…the expected rain only moments away! and no cafes open as yet! So I scuttled back into my “room” to google where I might need to head and grab my raincoat! I ran into a man who was also on the hunt for some refreshments and we walked to a bar that the internet had suggested may be alive! He managed to get an omelette and I got my coffee…we then parted ways as he was off to set up his bike to ride over the mountains and I had a day to fill in!
I walked to tonight’s accommodation to see if I could transfer my bags and was very warmly met with a most helpful lady…
From the outside this looks like a much nicer hotel for tonight’s sojourn!
I transferred my bag and collected my Camino passport, registering myself for the journey starting tomorrow!
Scoping out my starting point and ….
Following the way of St James around the town. I found a supermarket and stocked up on snacks and water…and dived in and out of the tourist shops to avoid the incessant downpours!
Roosters are a thing here but no room to cart these in my small bag for the next five weeks!
The river looking very grey but as the clouds spread for a moment the mirror images reflected in the water….
Not being able to check in until 3.30pm by early afternoon and 10000 steps under my belt I stopped at a pub and ordered a beer so I could get out of the rain! This filled in an hour or so…and having explored the cobbled streets enough for one day I am ready to unload into my room and prepare all my wet weather gear ready for an early start over the mountains tomorrow
St Jean Pied de Port is a very pretty mountain village…full of tramping people filling in time until their walk begins, sticking up on ponchos and raincoats to brave the next few days!
I think I have got my head around a first wet walking day, but depending on what the morning brings (forecast is saying 100% chance of rain all day) I may start my journey with a €5 bus ride to my first destination!!!
The view from my balcony, a bed large enough to fit 10 of me and a bath! Luxury!! For tonight at least!
All who wander are not Lost girls 