Month: September 2017

Day 2

Yesterday I talked a bit with the 3 Spanish guys I’ve shared a room with. They’re on their 6th/7th Caminos. Not bad .. although as it turned out, this time they only go until Santander as they couldn’t get longer holidays. One of them had an accident in January on the Portugal Way and had to go home after the first day but his first thing to do was to book flights for this Camino and not much later for finishing the Portugal Way in January.

I’ve almost overslept since my phone changed timezone at some point but actually I woke up before I wanted anyway. So by 7 I was on my way after packing up and having a short breakfast.

I almost forgot my stamp but in the last minute I remembered so all was well.

It felt good to start even earlier than yesterday. Still dark and quiet. Then I had to go through a forest … well, it was scary. I had a headlamp but apparently I’ve overestimated its capability 🙂 Not to mention the people picking mushrooms off the road making random noises. At least I tell myself that it was that.

After leaving San Sebastian I’ve met with a girl from France who camped in a tent. Lucky for her she did the forest part the day before – in daylight. She came to the Camino after a break up and getting fired .. and kicked out of her apartment. Oh well.

Got to Zarautz a bit after 12 and after crossing it I had a little lunch break – after all, this is the suggested end of the second etap. My roommates caught up with me as well. As well a boulder twice my head fell down like 30 meters across the road so I felt like moving on.

I was hoping that I make it until Zumaia which is about 10k more. Halfway through is Getaria where I could have stopped if I would have run out of energy. I didn’t stop but afterwards my Achilles whatevers started to hurt. Apparently I managed to squish the padding on some wire in the back of my shoes.

Anyway, made my way to Zumaia after all slowly but steadily and got settled by half past 4. I found the albergue but they are not that nice. I’d happy to pay for the accomodation but calling it donation and not giving a bed before you give just feels wrong. The place is okay though and I share a room with 2 of my roommates from yesterday.

I decided to leave the food I still had for breakfast and go and grab something for dinner.

 

how much I saw in the forest in the morning

Day 1

I can’t say I’m fully rested after listening to the aggressive and progressive snoring concert last night. However it might have been my excitement and the uncertainty of the coming weeks that kept half awake all night. Well, and the French guy who started laughing at the scream-like snoring of a guy in the next room 🙂

Anyways, after a quick breakfast (which was free) and getting a St Jacob shell I left the accomodation a bit after 7 but before dawn. Following the signs in the dark was sometimes challenging but in all but one case they were just one corner away when I thought that I got lost. More excitingly in the one case I actually missed a turn, not one but two strangers came to my help and steered me back on the path without even me asking.

Then sunrise came to clear the smoke on the water and put fire in the sky.

Since I forgot to bring a pebble from home – and the airport, and then the albergue in Irun … – I finally picked up one just outside of Irun. Also after 10km I finally remembered to take a “before picture”.

I was surprised on my progress after the first 10k and even afterwards, through the day. That is, until I realised that runkeeper believed that I’m jumping sideways along the path all the time….

Anyways, I’ve arrived to the coast and after crossing the bay of Pasaia I started the last bit to San Sebastian across some hills. This was the most tiring bit but with beautiful view all the way.

In Little San Sebastian I lost the signs a couple of times and also managed to walk by the albergue that I wanted to go to. So I went to the next one which really is a hostel so abot more expensive. So for balance today I went to a shop to get dinner and breakfast.

If you checked the pictures you can also see how I got attacked by a vicious dog 🙂

smoke on the water …
… fire in the sky
the “before” picture

Day 0 – Arriving to Irun

I got to Biarritz by plane and got surprised when going through the airport. It’s sooo small. Runway to outside in 3 minutes including the passport check from where you can already look out to the street.

Also I happily noted that they let me bring a razor in my backpack that also was allowed even though it’s kinda on the size limit for cabin baggage. 10 points to Ryanair.

Although I was planning to catch a train to Irun directly I realised that by going with bus to Hendaye – a city still on the French side – and then walking to Irun should get me there faster and at least I do some little walking today.

Finally got to the accomodation and went for dinner in a small restaurant with a menu. 3 course delicious dinner with a glass of wine for 8 euros. Okay 🙂