 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTANCE: 39 k/24.2 mi
My boots and gloves were dry in the morning. I replaced them with my pannier covers on the radiator, whilst I washed, dressed and packed my things. I then started to dry my route information - only the corner was wet. I had breakfast about 9 am, took a quick look around the town and bought a new 50 unit Télécarte.PHOTOS:I set off up the road to Gibraltar where the various French routes meet. I think I took a wrong road; the other had a herd of cows on it anyway, so I carried on down to the main road. About half way to St. Jean I stopped to take my jacket off. A cyclist caught me up as I was packing my jacket away. He was from the Flemish part of Belgium. We chatted for a while about the routes we had followed through France. He was doing a fast journey to Santiago and was to go on touring in Spain. He had used the Vezelay route in France, having done the Paris route a previous year. We both stopped to photograph our first view of the Pyrenees. He then went on ahead of me and I stopped for lunch at “Restaurant Lacarra.”
On arrival in St. Jean-Pied-de-Port, I first tried the Office de Tourisme. They gave me the location of the Pilgrim Office and the Refuge. The Pilgrim Office directed me to Madame Etchegoin’s Gîte d’Etape. It consisted of bunks, shower, basin, toilet and kitchen, all shared. I met two Australians, brother and sister, and had a long chat. My companion in the lower bunk was a French lady, with a very early train to catch.
I had dinner out at “Etche-Ona.” When I returned everyone was in bed! I turned in, but had an unsettled night due to the noise of the traffic outside.
St Palais from the route to Gibraltar
First view of the Pyrenees, including my Belgian cycling friend
 |
|
 |