It took 2 trains and a rail replacement service to get from Biarritz to St. Jean Pied de Porte. As we swapped transport we picked up more and more Pilgrims, easily recognised by their huge backpacks and walking poles.
Although we were worried about having overly weighty packs, I think we are ok. Some of the Pilgrims are having their packs shipped to their next hostel, so that explains some of it, especially the roll along case owned by a late middle aged Brit.
The Pilgrim's Office was open different hours to our guidebook,
so we went to a cafe for beer and lunch.
The beer was Grimbergen and most excellent. The food was cooked Camembert Type cheese plus charcuterie and new potato chips, with an obligatory salad. All was very nice and a great break before going back to the Pilgrim's Office.
There we got some information about the next 2 stages of the walk and directions to our hotel in town, which we promptly ignore and got lost.
Backtracking up and down through town, we easily found the hotel - which was run by Joe, a Thai, who was very friendly. We've got a room with bathroom rather than a dormitory, which is great.
We've both showered and washed some clothes, so the bathroom is very Chinese laundry-like but Ruth says that's not very Woke!
We are currently lying on the beds at 16.30 local time before heading out for a walk around the town wall and probably a few beers.
Ruth has booked some more hostels in advance as the route is very busy.
Comments