The bottle of wine pictured above caught my attention and my mind was off to the races. Ever the optimist and always dreaming, I spent some time this past weekend thinking about my return to France and Spain for what will probably be my last walk on the Way. While it’s given me so much, there are still other quests calling out to me, one of them are countries which begin with ‘S’.
My friend and fellow pilgrim, Ann, and I have talked about going back after we retire to take a slower walk, maybe a saunter, down the Camino. While driving back from our Huntsville State Park walk with the Professors and Chris’s students, I told her about maybe starting further in France and then walking to Saint Jean Pied de Port before tackling the Camino Francés or, skipping SJPP altogether.
I’m researching two options. First would be the Piemont Route or Pyrenean Route from Lourdes across the French Pyrenees to SJPP.
The second would be the Camino Arogonés from Somport in France to Puente la Reina skipping Pamplona all together. Maybe visiting Lourdes before hitting the Camino Arogonés.
We also talked about taking it more slowly and travelling more of the side routes. With option one instead of taking on the Pyrenees in one day, maybe stopping in Orisson for a short day and a new experience for me. Those of us who have done SJPP to Roncesvalles, we know that getting to Orisson is half the battle even though it’s only about ¼ of the distance, it’s like climbing a ladder. Option two would eliminate Pamplona altogether.
Besides the side routes, I’d like to possibly spend a day in Pamplona (Option 1), we didn’t do that last time. I’d skip Los Arcos and maybe continue on to Torres del Rio and push through Logorño to Navarrete. Or maybe, just toss the book and do whatever we want each day. Some of my friends’ question if I’m capable of that. I think not having time constraints will help me overcome some of that need to plan…we’ll see.
I was thinking 8 weeks for this venture but, that all depends upon what Susan says, I have little doubt that she will not be interested in joining us but, you never now. To quote Father Frank from the movie The Way, “it’s said that miracles occur out here, on the Camino”. While I don’t believe in miracles…
Fifty-six days on the Camino, 4 days for travel, I like the sound of that. Ann and I also discussed going during a different time of year, late summer into early fall sounds very appealing. Watching the seasons change in Spain, especially later along the way in the mountains heading into Galicia sounds wonderful. Maybe start on my birthday, September 16th with a finish in mid-November.
Retirement is still a way off but, it gives a fellow something to dream about. More as it develops.
P.s. If you’re interested, John LLoyd, a regular contributor to the Casa Ivar blog has taken his journal and published it along with pictures from his 2018 Camino. I’ve just started it, it’s an interesting read so far and brings back a lot of good memories. Available on Amazon (what isn’t?), the link is to Casa Ivar and some info. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/go-your-own-way-following-in-the-footsteps-of-martin-sheen-on-the-way-of-st-james.67429/