LIVE from the Camino Luka, 1800 km to Santiago

[Luka]

I have no idea how much time or opportunity I will find to update here, but I'll just give it a try. It is my third day today. I started in Paray le Monial, then Marcigny, then St Romain la Motte and now I am in St Jean St Maurice.

The new gîte in St Romain was wonderful, built in the church. Recommended! Today I met the first other pilgrims. Walther (77!) from Germany and Francine from France. Talking in French is hard, but having company is nice! Jitters have gone completely, am just enjoying myself!

 

[SabsP]

Hi Luka,
Keep going!! Enjoy it to the fullest... absorb everything!

 

[Anniesantiago]

Luka! You adventurer!
It will be fun to follow you!
Buen Camino!

 

[VNwalking]

Woo hooooo! Bon Chemin (and eventually Buen Camino), Luka!

 

[SYates]

Glad your jitters are gone and you are having a great chemin! SY

 

[domigee]

Wonderful, buen camino Luka

 

[KinkyOne]

I have no idea how much time or opportunity I will find to update here, but I'll just give it a try. It is my third day today. I started in Paray le Monial, then Marcigny, then St Romain la Motte and now I am in St Jean St Maurice.

The new gîte in St Romain was wonderful, built in the church. Recommended! Today I met the first other pilgrims. Walther (77!) from Germany and Francine from France. Talking in French is hard, but having company is nice! Jitters have gone completely, am just enjoying myself!

Keep on, Luka

 

[natefaith]

Buen Camino, Luka! Goed werk!!
Faith

 

[wayfarer]

Enjoy.
Buen Camino.

 

[donalomahony]

I have no idea how much time or opportunity I will find to update here, but I'll just give it a try. It is my third day today. I started in Paray le Monial, then Marcigny, then St Romain la Motte and now I am in St Jean St Maurice.

The new gîte in St Romain was wonderful, built in the church. Recommended! Today I met the first other pilgrims. Walther (77!) from Germany and Francine from France. Talking in French is hard, but having company is nice! Jitters have gone completely, am just enjoying myself!

 

[Luka]

Thanks for your support!

I am in St Etienne now. And no, that is not on the Chemin. Friday the 8th was a holiday in France, so everyone went hiking. I was totally surprised that the Prieuré of Montverdun was completely booked. More than 20 beds, had seen only two other pilgrims so far. I found an expensive chambre d'hotes, but had the same problem on Saturday: tiny village, 5 beds, the mairie closed, I didn't dare to gamble. So I walked to Montbrison and took a train to St Etienne.

I was on a tight scedule for exact the same reason that got me stranded: another holiday weekend. I booked myself through the Asunction weekend for exactly the same reason. Just didn't expect to get into trouble before Le Puy...

So I will be staying in St Etienne now and take a train to Le Puy on Tuesday, when a bed is reserved (and all the way to Saturday). A little holidaybreak from my pilgrimage ;-)

 

[LTfit]

Buen Camino Luka!
Look forward to hearing about it (and reading your blog).
Groet uit NL!

 

[Luka]

Greetings from Le Puy! See pics on my blog. So happy to walk again tomorrow!

 

[SYates]

Bon Chemin! SY

 

[Luka]

Merci! The first stage was very nice. Lovely (warm) weather. But that is going to change. Forecast for the Aubrac plateau: 6-10 degrees and rain...

There were about 70 to 100 pilgrims at the mass, about 80% French. Tomorrow is going to be much more crowded, because of the asunction weekend.

 

[Luka]

I am in St Chély now, walking to Espalion tomorrow. After walking with a lot of French groups and couples over the Asunction weekend, a more international Camino family is starting to form. The scenery is beautiful!

 

[smj6]

France in May can be difficult with the holidays! I like your pragmatic approach.
Buen Camino, @Luka
Suzanne

 

[grayland]

Enjoy the walk, Amiga.
I really enjoyed the route...but there were some difficult stretches that were tough with difficult rocky climbs with water and mud.
But...it rained hard for 30 straight days..

 

[Luka]

OMG @grayland! Then I have had a lot more luck! It has been cold here, but I have had only two days of (heavy) rain so far. I quite like the exercise of climbing and descending. And yes, it is still very beautiful here! Am in Golinhac right now and walking to Conques today. I wonder if I will see less organized French groups after Conques. The Pentecost weekend is still coming up and I have no idea what to expect.

 

[Luka]

I am in the Célé valley now. Tomorrow we'll do a stage in a canoe! And @gittiharre I have been walking with Malcolm the last few days