Good morning.
If the French trains run on time, I will arrive in SJPP from Amsterdam at 18.18 this coming Wednesday evening 22/3. I will seek a bed in the municipal auberge. Day 1 is to Valcarlos only, as I ease this 71 year old mammal into the long walk.
Q1: As the walk to Valcarlos seems unlikely to take more than 3 hours, is there any point setting off before noon - it seems I might as well explore St Jean & enjoy a mid-morning brunch before leaving? I fear that if I set off at 0700 and arrive in Valcarlos well before noon, I will be unable to resist heading straight onwards to Roncesvalles, which is not the plan.
Q2: any recommendations for an early lunch cafe/whatever in St Jean?
Q3: going forwards, if walking 5 -7 hours per day at this time of year & when in reasonable weather, is there any point leaving early, ie. before say 0800, when the route is not very crowded (with the possible exception of Holy Week) and the afternoon temperatures not high enough to warrant avoiding ?
Lastly, thank-you SO much to everyone on this forum for the simply huge amount of very helpful information. I feel well-prepared and am looking forward to taking the first steps, and so curious to see how the body responds to the challenge.
If the French trains run on time, I will arrive in SJPP from Amsterdam at 18.18 this coming Wednesday evening 22/3. I will seek a bed in the municipal auberge. Day 1 is to Valcarlos only, as I ease this 71 year old mammal into the long walk.
Q1: As the walk to Valcarlos seems unlikely to take more than 3 hours, is there any point setting off before noon - it seems I might as well explore St Jean & enjoy a mid-morning brunch before leaving? I fear that if I set off at 0700 and arrive in Valcarlos well before noon, I will be unable to resist heading straight onwards to Roncesvalles, which is not the plan.
Q2: any recommendations for an early lunch cafe/whatever in St Jean?
Q3: going forwards, if walking 5 -7 hours per day at this time of year & when in reasonable weather, is there any point leaving early, ie. before say 0800, when the route is not very crowded (with the possible exception of Holy Week) and the afternoon temperatures not high enough to warrant avoiding ?
Lastly, thank-you SO much to everyone on this forum for the simply huge amount of very helpful information. I feel well-prepared and am looking forward to taking the first steps, and so curious to see how the body responds to the challenge.