Camino Frances 2024 Day 1 - Jun 5, 2024
28km today from St. Jean to Roncesvalles in Spain, perhaps the most physically gruelling day of my life. 26 km straight up and over the range. What made it ultimately successful was good conversation including meeting other pilgrims - Vincent my host in St. Jean, Susan who started walking in Germany, Sandra from Texas, Gustave, Elisa from Spain/Austria who was walking to the Mediterranean and many others who we know we will see again. I received pictures from Paul and Fan from Malaysia. Everyone has been so nice and the views amazing. The number 1 success factor is definitely lightening your load to enjoy the journey. On a long trip it is easy to be distracted and weighed down by the baggage you bring along for no good reason - you carry your fears on your back. That and focusing on the here and now with small steps once you have set course. Ascending the mountain is not about how high and how fast you can go, but a out how healthy you do it. Victor injured his knee once we crossed into Spain so we had a rescue team meet us at the peak and drive us the last two kilometers to a hospital. We hope he can walk and continue in the morning.
