Hi from MarkL near Figeac

[Mark L]

Hi

i realise I should probably have done this before posting a couple of times, so here we go.
firstly, I should know better as I’m an admin on an open canoe forum similar time this one but I have at least got there pretty early,
Im a Brit living near Figeac in France so based on the French route from Le Puy. I’ve watched and helped out many pilgrims from everywhere as they’ve past my area and I’m finally about to give in to the inescapable feeling of being drawn to do this. I can’t really verbalise why I’m drawn, I just seem to be So I’m not going to worry why. Better to just get on with it.
Plan is broadly to do the Le Puy French side from my home as soon as practical this year then see how soon I can get another reasonable slot to do the Spanish side.

I realise that a large number of the posts here relate specifically to the Spain side really but if anyone needs assistance (free obviously) while passing my area, I will be happy to help with anything I can.

 

[SYates]

Hi and welcome to the forum @Mark L !

Walking from the own door to Santiago is a very special experience. One tip, plan to walk until Pamplona, this way you are already fully trained up when you cross the Pyrenees instead of leaving that crossing for the first day of your planned second stage of the pilgrimage ;-)

BC SY

 

[Mark L]

firstly, thanks for the wishes ...anyone setting out without the experience here is grateful I’d guess ...

i started in France with the more conventional route of the Le Puy start.
I know it well from my Allier paddling as an outfitter ... so that would be it ...
But I was married Cajarc, my home is here and it is the main place I am in tune with myself (plus NY Moors) so it is naturally start of everything here and thus natural to make home where I start from

I sort of agonised over it ... but it is the start for my personal Chemin ... and heading 200 Km west to somewhere else for a start ... then come back is not natural. I’m very lucky that I can just go out of my door having been inspired by those passing. For me, much more real world than making “a trip“

Im also lucky that tbh this isn’t all about gear ... I regularly do wilderness expeds of 20-30 days in the boreal forest so that bit isn’t much of an issue, I‘m long past being comfortable living outdoors and this isn’t even that really if I hope to engage with others too ... which I do

if I’m honest, I’d have gone by now we’re it not to be for two factors ... first, it’d be too early to engage with others ... second, well its France so despite being about 18 degrees c today, it’s shut.

Anyway, enough ...

if anyone passing my area needs or wants help, before or during their run, I will do everything I can.

take care all



The idea of walking out of the door and joining many others (figuratively) is much more natural to me.