We begin our Pilgrimage

On Aug. 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, we began the first and most difficult part of our journey, crossing the Pyrenees Mountains.  We began our walk at 6am and it was up still for about 11 miles.  The scenery was absolutely beautiful.  We had beautiful clear weather, meeting cows and sheep along the way, and encountering other Pilgrims along the Way.  We walked all day with two women, Susie from Australia and Catherine from New York.  We also met Peter a Canadian from Vancouver.  The five of us walked along, sharing our life stories and what brought us here on the Camino.  As,we,approached the summit, we stopped at an image our Mary for prayer and some quiet time and prayer.  Along the way there are many shrines to the saints and those modern days saints who have died on the Camino.  It was very moving.  We arrived in Roncesvalles around 3:30pm, exhausted but happy to have accomplished such a task.  We went to mass at the the local church where they blessed all the pilgrims?  Early to bed,,since we were leaving at 6:30am !

Today, Aug. 16, we began our 15 mile walk to Akerreta, Spain.  Our group met before dawn and started our journey a little sore but in great spirits.  We passed over two small mountain ranges, stopped in small cafes for breakfast and lunch and finally arrived at our beautiful hotel in Akerreta.  If you have seen the movie The Way, this is the hotel where Martin Sheehan stayed before he reached Pomplona.  It is a beautiful Basque home that has been restored to its original beauty.  Along our walk today, it was interesting to see how each person in our group respected the privacy of the other. Sometimes we would be talking as a group or in pairs, and other times some would fall behind and walk by themselves.  God always seems to know when we need to be in conversation with Him. 

Tomorrow it's off to  Pomplona.  Maybe  we'll try our hand at the running of the bulls.  Until then

blessings and Buen Camino.