A year ago .......

[petro]

Hi All,

I walked the Camino Frances in April/May 2008. A year ago today I walked from Orisson to Roncesvalles. I find myself remembering the way clearer than at any time during the past year. I remember the breakfast with new friends, the wonderful view, the very strong wind blowing in gusts that sometimes blew me of the road (thankfully it was a clear day), meeting a very curious horse that wanted to make friends, the elation when I saw the rooftops of Roncesvalles, the steep way down, the feeling of accomplishment on reaching Roncesvalles, great sandwich and cold beer. Then getting my credential stamped, walking into the huge albergue. When we left the restaurant that evening we found that the villiage was shrouded in a magical mist wich made everything look so unreal. With so many pilgrims in one room I found the night strangely quiet, I remember going to the bathroom during the night and coming back into the room out of the light it was dark and I couldn't find my bed! So many memories! I know that for the next 31 days my heart and my mind will not be where my body is. I have made up my mind - I have to go back!!!!

Buen Camino
Petro

 

[lanval]

I also arrived in Roncesvalles a year ago today. Over dinner that night I made some friends that I would end up walking into Santiago de Compestella with.

You photo is a lovely reminder of that night. Thank you.

 

[Ajda]

I remember going to the bathroom during the night and coming back into the room out of the light it was dark and I couldn't find my bed!

Petro, thank you for sharing your memories. It's so nice to read it.

I was thinking much about that (not finding bed when go to the toliet during the night).
What did you do? Walking around so long that finally find your place?

 

[petro]

Hi Adja,

I could remember more or less where it was and I knew that I hung my socks over the end rail of the bed, so I felt around for socks and hoped that nobody did the same. Luck was on my side and I found my bed. After that I never went to the bathroom without my little torch!

Petro

 

[Chev.Jerry]

Petro,

Thank you so much for sharing, it brought a smile to my face and a longing to my heart.

Ultrea.

Jerry

 

[Heikki]

Thanks Petro!
We did our first camino last year May/June and I have also made mind to do it again. I'm already plannig it every day.

Heikki

 

[billbeahen]

Hi Petro and all

I walked over the Napoleon Pass on April 30 2008 and arrived in Santiago on May 31st. It was such an amazing and profound experience that I have written a book about it entitled "One Step at a Time : Encounters Natural, Human and Divine on the Camino de Santiago". Two author agents, one in Canada and the other in Ireland, are reading the manuscript now to see if they will represent me in approaching publishers.

I am returning to the Camino in mid March 2010 to walk the Via de la Plata from Sevilla to Santiago.

Such wonderful memories, friends made, and faith affirmed and expanded.

Bill Beahen
Ottawa, Canada

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I was walking this time last year as well, and find I am remembering it all at present. April 28th was my 'worst day'!!! :shock: The day before I had a brilliant rest day in Conques, listening to many people singing in the Abbey. The 28th started out OK, as I found that the path out of Conques wasn't as long/steep as I had expected. Then I took the 'scenic' alternative route. But the mist soon came in and there was no view. Then the thunder and lightning struck. Here I was on the top of this hill, no shelter anywhere, and I am in the midst of a thunderstorm! Scary!!!! Then I got diarrhoea. By this point I am saturated. Then there was a huge descent and a huge ascent to/from Decazeville (that to add insult to injury, I realised a few days later I could have bypassed, staying on an upper track- but it was too wet to read my map properly in the rain!) But it all turned out well in the end. Showered, laundered, made very very welcome in a gite, then discovering there was a parish welcome for pilgrims.....
Fortunately. April 29th dawned a much sunnier day again!

Margaret

 

[elzi]

HI, me and my friend set out last year on the 29th from Pamplona! Maybe you passed us? We were the ones going very slow...! This time of year has got me thinking caminos again. My friend is walking the portugues route right now and i will fly out and join her in two weeks! I begin to suspect this camino thing is addictive!
Also to kiwinomad (above post) i had a lovely time looking at your le puy photos and don't worry the alternative route to walking through Decazville was not very nice.

 

[AJ]

Zamora to Riego del Camino. Had to leave one German friend in Zamora - his feet were falling off!

Finished the day in Pepe's bar with Austrian friend: menu, and brandy for strength (?).

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Portomarin.

 

[nellpilgrim]

Hi Petro, I walked from SJPP to Santiago this april and am still somewhat disconnected from my 'real' life, but you post really captured feelings I have about the way. I feel like an old sailor who is now land bound and yet yearns for the sea! I am planning to start the Le Puy route next year.