Booked it, Packed it, Walking it.

It has been a long time coming, but at 1035hrs this morning, I boarded my Airfrance flight to Biarritz!

The flights and change over in Paris was painless and all on time giving me 1.5 hours to catch the train. About 20 minutes from landing into Biarritz I caught my first glimpse of the Pyrenees in the distance; looking like mere mounds from the airplane window.

With luck the second bag through the luggage carasel was mine, and as it was an internal flight, all the border checks had been done in Paris. I grabbed my bag and walked straight out onto the taxi rank.

I did contemplate walking to the station but after seeing it was 6 miles away, I wouldn’t have time.

From Bayonne station I took the train bound for St. Jean to my bed for the night. I reserved a bunk in a gite called “Makila”. In France these bunkhouses are called “gites” where as in Spain they are “Albergues”. With breakfast included, there was no contest.

Now my journey has begun, I can finally cease my daily ritual of checking the French government website for any changes to the travel requirements. I was verging on paranoia that Covid was going to give another plot twist in my Camino saga.

To give me the best chance to avoid any potential pitfalls, I’d printed and signed a few copies of the covid declaration form required for entry and downloaded the french version of the NHS app to evidence my vaccine status. However I have yet to be asked to show my papers, other than my NHS QR code in Manchester.

The past four weeks I have successfully avoided anyone with slightest inclining of a cough!

Leading up to today, my anticipation has been high and constantly restless. I felt like a child leading up to Christmas, excitedly counting down the days. Now I’m here I’m eager to walk.

I had a walk around the town before grabbing a bite in a quaint little restaurant. The Gite is within the old fortifications of a castle and backs on to the outer wall. After my meal, I took a leisurely stroll along these ancient ramparts, a warm up for tomorrow.

I’m finally on my Camino.