September 2012

[msp41]

Hi I am new here. I am from Iceland and will be flying to Biarrits via Paris on sept. 2. Have to stay overnight since I arrive 8 o´clock. Hope to catch a bus in the morning to St. Jean Pied. Can anyone tell me how long the first stretch is?
Oh I have many many more questions but hope to find the answers by reading here.
Do you folks know Spanish? Is it very necessary? :?
Bueo Camino!
Margrét

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The "first stretch" is up to you. You can stop after two hours at Hunto, after four hours at Orisson, or walk all day to Roncesvalles. You will find many who recommend stopping at Orisson. If you do, you will want to make a reservation because of its popularity as an intermediate stop. Hunto probably does not need a reservation.

Many speak Spanish, but most do not (except the Spanish, who are over half the pilgrims). You can get by without knowing Spanish, but your conversations will be limited to fellow pilgrims who speak Icelandic (not too likely) or English!

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hola

http://www.godesalco.com/plan/podense gives the distances as:

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port 0 km
Hounto 5.2 km
Auberge d'Orisson 7.7 km
Roncesvalles 25.1 km

Hope this helps.

John

 

[julie]

Can anyone tell me how long the first stretch is?
Oh I have many many more questions but hope to find the answers by reading here.
Do you folks know Spanish? Is it very necessary? :?

Hi Margrét and welcome to the Forum, You have a choice on the first day - walk to Roncesvalles or stay at Orisson which is about 2 hours walking from St Jean. You will need to make a booking if you wish to stay at Orisson.

The stage to Roncesvalles is not as bad as it sounds. It's a glorious walk and the most strenuous part is the first couple of hours to Orisson so don't be put off if you want to finish at Roncesvalles on the first day. Set off early, stop at Orisson for morning tea, relax and admire the view from the deck as you recover from the climb and you'll be ready to set off again.

I went with no knowledge of Spanish other than please, thank you and good morning. It didn't take long to pick up a few other words but most of the time I communicated with actions and a lot of laughter.

It would be handy to know a little Spanish but don't stress about it.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Orisson for morning tea

In Spanish, it is pronounced cafe con leche...

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Oh they serve té in Spain too - it is a sophisticated country. Many Spaniards drink Manzanilla which is Camomile tea and not to be confused with Manzanilla sherry...if you want the former ask for a taza and the latter a copa. I'm sure they'll serve it in Orisson

 

[vagabondette]

Orisson for morning tea

In Spanish, it is pronounced cafe con leche...

Not for those of us who don't drink coffee.

 

[msp41]

Hi and thanks for your replies. Little confusing though - Julie talks about two hours walk to Orisson but falcon269 4 hours but, well I see the distance between SJPDP-Orisson is 5.4 km. and since it is uphill and in the beginning of the trip I think it will be a good "first day". My only headache about the trip is what to take and what not to take. Will it rain? Do I need something warm? I have been away from the forum now for a while but wil now take time to read read read an make decisions!
Look forward to seeing you. I start walking from SJPDP on September 3.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Will it rain?

Yes. I have had as much as two weeks of continuous rain in both September and October. Last September it barely rained at all!!

 

[msp41]

The "first stretch" is up to you. You can stop after two hours at Hunto, after four hours at Orisson, or walk all day to Roncesvalles. You will find many who recommend stopping at Orisson. If you do, you will want to make a reservation because of its popularity as an intermediate stop. Hunto probably does not need a reservation.

Many speak Spanish, but most do not (except the Spanish, who are over half the pilgrims). You can get by without knowing Spanish, but your conversations will be limited to fellow pilgrims who speak Icelandic (not too likely) or English!

Þakka þér kærlega fyrir kæri falcon269!
That was: Thank you very much dear falcon269 :lol: