Tuesday 24th of September 2013

Back in Australia, Have had our tribute to Dad, we are at a loss, but accept Dads wishes, thankyou to those friends who talked to Dad in his later days, and thanyou to Helen for your kind words.
Regareds to all, John

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Yesterday I packed our gear in the car, picked up Dads ashes and headed on my way. Following the non toll roads as I would be on and off of it, stopping here and there when I see the Camino signs. I venture onto the path and scatter small amounts at each stop.
Tuesday night is spent at Ponferrada, I have travelled about 500km today.
Today I made it to Muxia, stopping as I did yesterday. I scattered the rest of the remains in and at the waters edge, with a prayer and a few tears. Then drove to Cape Finisterre, then on to Satiago de Compostela where I stay tonight.
I have 3 days before I fly out, so easy driving back to Madrid.
Thankyou to all the kind words and prayers to who followed Dads Path.

Monday - September 16th, 2013

My name is John, eldest son of Luke, dad passed away peacefully in the early hours of the 9th of September. He will be missed by us all.
I have all of Dads passwords to his email etc, in my possesion and will try to answer those emails still pending over the next few days.
Dads body has being cremated and I embark on spreading his ashes along the paths he has walked.

Sunday, 8th of September 2013

A cool early start on Saturday morning, overcast and threatening to rain and 30km of up. The path follows the river up the valley, initially small towns at a regular basis, lots of places to get a coffee or snack. But once past Urdos there is nothing ... no towns. no views ..... fog at times, just keep walking ever up, some is on the road, other is bush tracks ..... but still on and up. Then I am at the summit, the cloud opens for a while .... then I am in Spain and at the Refugio Santa Crista, its clean, and very comfortable. This town we are in Candanchu ... in winter a ski resort.
Sunday, cool start to the day, some 32km to walk today ..... at least the majority is down hill. Its a clear day and warms as rhe morning passes, Memorable things  .... the magnificent railway station at Canfranc .... memories of a by gone era. The path is rocky and uneven, I am walking with some other pilgrims that I met yesterday .... when we get to Jaca, I go east they go west. We grab lunch at a bar and walk on. Its low 20's when we arrive at Jaca and settle in to the accom .... the usual, clean up etc then rest till diner time.

Friday, 6th of September 2013

25km to walk today, its going to get warm again today, but nice and cool first thing ... lots of trees so plenty of shade. Still traversing the nountains, so up and over ridges ant through valleys the up and over, again. The road is paves and single lane, have more live stock on the road than cars.
Make good time and reach Bedous early afternoon .... book into a Gite and grab some lunch.

Thursday 5th of September 2013

I'm currentlystaying in a small inn at Aramits, France. Wednesday I covered about 30km, it was flattish walking along a valley. But today was up and down like a yoyo and some steep climbs .... luckily just over 20km today. The weather has been kind with low to mid 20's in the mornings but getting into the low 30's in the afternoons .... so aim is to get walking done in the morning if possible. Walking back roads and country lanes, few cars .... but for the most part good reception for the GPS ... just as well as its a maze of unsign posted roads and tracks.
Tomorrow its a long slow climb back into the Pyrenesse town of Bedous ..... some 25km away.

Tuesday, 3rd of September 2013

Headed out very early this morning, breaky and a coffee then on my way. A 500m climb over 5km awaits .... it takes just under 2 hours to make the top then its 20 odd km down to St Jean Pied de Port.
I'm about 4 hours into my walk before I come across people coming towards me ... the initial pilgrims are fit and experienced walkers, as I progress, the walkers become more stressed, foot sore and down right exhausted looking. By midday I am at Orrison, I take a break and enjoy lunch and a beer, Pilgrims are still staggering up the hill ..... quite a few wont get past this point on the first day ..... 8km out of St Jean. About 1pm I head of down hill its steep here and take it cautiously as don't want any knee problems. As i head down there are still people staggering up or resting and getting there strength back .... its about 3.30pm when I walk into St Jean. i find somewhere to stay and clean up its been hot today even in the mountains .... its high 20's here today. All clean, but a tad used looking I have a look around town ..... there are all these new pilgrims gathering to set off in the morning, bright and shiny in there new clobber ..... pore buggers, its going to be 33C or there abouts tomorrow. I share a meal with some American Pilgrims ..... I suggest they put off leaving for a day or 2 ..... no they will leave in the morning. I suggest maybe only walk to Orrison, no, they expect to go all the way to Roncesvalles ..... I wish them well.

Monday, 2nd of September 2013

Had a great time in Pamplona, Sunday walked to Zibiri about 22km and its a steady uphill all the way .... I know I walked this about 15 months ago, but its all new to me, different perspective, I guess. Lots of towns on the way, then today carried on to Roncesvalles, the weather is great, hope it holds out. A very steep 5-6 km climb tomorrow, then down hill all the way int St Jean Pied de Port ... about 27km all up tomorrow ..... so the earliest of starts in the morning. All provisions carried as nothing en-route till Auberge d'Orisson  ....... maybe lunch there ..... if all goes well.
Then just under 2 hours to St Jean ..... a very steep downward path.