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13 April More photos....

13 April 2014

Spring is not hiding in Spain.  The days are warm and  bright with the winter crops  gleaming with multiple colors as the freshly plowed fields await the seeds of this years harvest.  The animals are praticipating by running through the new grass with their fresh coats of hair and the knowledge that they too will be sowing the seeds of harvest.   This is a special place in our world.   The Cuckoo birds greeted us back on the first day and have been at our side for the past five days cheering the Piligrims down the trail.  

After the fifth stage of the walk, hike, climb and crawl  the body is feelling the pain of some 70 miles walked in five days.   As the photos tell the views have been spectacular. You can not compare the Way of St James , last years walk, with the Nothern Route.  It is a constant up and down routine.  Much more physical and very little flat land to strench your legs out.   I would certainly not recommend this route as the first Camino that one might want to attemp. The number of Pilgrims on this journey is very small.  Yesterday I only saw the two Canadians that have been moving along about the same pace catching up between stops and breaks.  On day two there were 11 fellow Pilgrims on the trail.  So you can walk for many hours without seeing anyone.   But then again that is good.

The Basque coastal region is very much agriculture in nature but it is obvious that the small port towns all double or triple in population for summer residents to enjoy the region.  Hondarriba grows from 17,000 people to 70,000 as an example.  San Sebastian is a top of the line summer resort area.  We met a relocated Brit Tony Truman, who suggested that this is the only place to retire.  Our journey has taken us more inland the past two days but we will be back on the coast by tomorrow evening arriving in Bilbao the largest Basque City and also Captial of Biscay.  The Guggenheim Museum is located in Biblao and is on the list to view.  

The journey continues.  Photos attached...    enjoy , Happy Palm Sunday to all.   

6 April 2014 Day 1 Traveling to Hendaye, France

My next journey begins.  Tomorrow I will walk the first stage along the Northern route from Hendaye to San Sebastian on my way to Santiago. The first two stages take you through two very popular tourist areas in France and Spain.  San Sebastian has three of the seven Michelin three star resturants in all of Spain so it gives you an idea of the area and people.  Hendaye is noted for surfing and sailing. However, quickly this environment changes and unlike the Camino of last year this route is not as well marked or supported but the views are of the Atlantic and Costa Vasca which I have been told are spectacular.  I have included a map of the first two days and a complete listing of all the stages to Santiago.   I included a picture of Wyatt and Makayla as they visit the ship that their father will be sailing out of San Diego on to support our nation in the far East for 7 months.  They will certainly be in my thoughts as I walk the 500 mile trail to the place of St. James.  We are both on a mission.  His much more important than mine.  

I do not plan on writing everyday in my blog but I will certainly keep some sort of report on location and experiences.   You can down load the stages on Mundicamino.com and view each days walk etc.  Best to all.   Let the steps begin....    Nick