Things in the Camino “file” are moving quickly. I have booked my flight for early September to Paris on Air Transat. I have thought through the logistics of getting from there to St Jean Pied de Port and have decided that it would be wise to stay in Paris the first night and get the 7:30am fast train to Bayonne and have lunch there, before travelling on the SJPP. This bit of advice actually came from a seasoned traveller in one of the Camino forums. It makes sense.
I have also booked a lower bunk in Orisson the first alberque on the trail over the Pyrenees and a bed in Roncesvalles on the otherside of the mountains. I would have booked a place in SJPP but the hostel I wanted is not open yet for booking. I’ll keep an eye out.
Booking places to stay even 9 months before I will actually be travelling brings the journey just that much closer. I am still doing my 10kms maintenance walk 2 or 3 times a week and walking with the pilgrim walking group once a week, when I can. I love this walking group partly for the company and partly for the fact that their walks push me to do treks of 18 to 20kms. It is also a great enabler. In our collection of 20 to 40 walkers from all ages and backgrounds there are a few in their 80s. In fact one woman is 88 and walks 4 times a week. One of those days is a walk on the Bruce Trail in a group where you have to be at least 80 to join. I’m not the only one that’s insane 🙂
There are some major walks planned in the new year in Toronto to coincide with a universal Camino celebration. I’ll keep you posted.