Making some plans....

My first 4 nights are booked.  Feeling blessed; Terry (my Godson Kurt's  dad) booked me a room in the Left Bank neighbourhood of Saint-Germaine-des-Pres.  After a whirlwind tour I board TGV for a 5 1/2 hour train ride to Bayonne, located at the northern most point of the French Basque Country, where the Nive and Andour Rivers meet. Bayonne is known for its chocolate and ham, yup I will be sampling some along with a little wine.  September 10th it's all aboard for a quick train ride to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port a beautiful bustling French market town in the foothills of the Pyrenees and the starting point of the Camino Frances.  I'll check into Alberque Beilari where I will share a communal evening meal. It's  located right across the street from the Pilgrims office where I will register my Credencial del Peregrino and pick up a scallop shell.  After strolling around the  medieval town the next morning I will go through the portal, Porte d'Espagne an make my way to Refuge Orisson an 8km climb.  

The count down begins

 

One month from today I will be on my way...these past few months have been challenging, first my teeth gave me hell but after two root canals and a weaker bank account the throbbing is gone!  My sweet physiotherapist is working hard to get my planter fasciitis under control along with my wrist which I injured last month.  That's 3 and that's enough!  Although I will be walking the Camino solo I have been training with friends.  When I need some elevation training we head for the hills.  We've hiked in White Rock, part of the Trans Canada trail on Burnaby mountain, High Knoll at Minnekhada, Mount Royal in Montreal, Kanaka Creek in Maple Ridge, Tin Pants in Whistler, Dog Mountain on Mount Seymour and Teapot Hill at Cultus lake.  As I looked back at my trekking album I see we've logged a lot of kilometres, some under the full moon, some in very wet conditions, on beaches and just because I needed to train.  I thank you all for joining me on my training sessions.  I'm still asking myself  if I can walk 25 km a day for 36 days?  Slow and steadily I will make my way from St Jean Pied De Port to Santiago de Compostela.

Buen Camino