A few days along with the pilgrims
Greetings,
On Monday I received a phone call from David. The two pilgrims were inviting me to come to Hendaye to join up with them for a day. This was their birthday gift to me as I just celebrated it the previous week, and what a gift! On tuesday, I jumped on a train from Madrid toward Hendaye, and got there in the evening, only to spend one our in France, before crossing the boarder back in to Spain. I witnessed the pilgrims goodbyes to France as they were crossing the bridge that connects Hendaye to Irun, two cities in the Basque region.
The following day, we all three walked from Irun to San Sebastian, and were well enchanted with the beauty of the region as we made our way on ridges of the small mountains overlooking the Atlantic ocean. Unfortunately we quickly were surrounded by thick clouds, and by the time we got to San Sebastian, it was pouring with rain.
It was good to see David and Josh. They have their routines, their accumulated stories through which they find much joy and laughter, their 'inside' jokes that have been built along the way, their songs; all numerous souvenirs that fill their minds and that will remain in their thoughts for a long time to come. I was indeed interesting to see how they have learned to be content with the smallest things, and this was refreshing for me - fresh out of the city, where entertainment has become such a market that we too often forget to smile or laugh for simplest things.
I got back to Madrid on Thursday, and haven't been feeling too good; this explains why I haven't posted an update until now. I'm sure many of you have received emails from either David or Josh. They are now in Deba, a village on the Atlantic coast. Apparently, they were well received there by men in traditional Basque outfits, as there was some sort of fiesta going on there when they arrived. Later in the evening, they found a box on the ground full of delicious pastries, and did not hesitate to devour the box's content as this was a real treat for them.
I'm expecting photos from them any time now. They have sent a few more CDs packed with thousands of photos taken along the way. I'll post some on the blog and on FaceBook when I get a chance!
Until next time...
Mathieu
My phone
Hello! I´m writing a quick message to let you know, for those who need to, that my cell phone is now reachable.
From Spain: 635 943 047
From International: 0034 635 943 047
I might not have a signal all the time, don´t hesitate to leave a message.
- David
Etape Première Moitié - Primera Mitad - First half
| Date | a | Distance (km) | Cumul (km) |
|
| Depart Le Puy |
|
|
| (juillet)14 | Saint-Privat-d'Allier | 23,9 | 23,9 |
| 15 | Saugues | 19,2 | 43,1 |
| 16 | Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole | 29,2 | 72,3 |
| 17 | Aumont-Aubrac | 15,2 | 87,5 |
| 18 | Nasbinals | 26,3 | 113,8 |
| 19 | Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac | 15,9 | 129,7 |
| 20 | Espalion | 23,7 | 153,4 |
| 21 | Golinhac | 26,6 | 180 |
| 22 | Conques | 20,8 | 200,8 |
| 23 | Livinhac-le-Haut | 25,8 | 226,6 |
| 24 | Figeac | 25,3 | 251,9 |
| 25 | Cajarc | 31,6 | 283,5 |
| 26 | Varaire | 25,7 | 309,2 |
| 27 | Cahors | 33,1 | 342,3 |
| 28 | Lascabanes | 22,2 | 364,5 |
| 29 | Lauzerte | 22,8 | 387,3 |
| 30 | Moissac | 26,3 | 413,6 |
| 31 | Saint-Antoine | 29,6 | 443,2 |
| (aout)1 | Lectoure | 24,8 | 468 |
| 2 | Condom | 26,9 | 494,9 |
| 3 | Eauze | 33,5 | 528,4 |
| 4 | Nogaro | 19,2 | 547,6 |
| 5 | Aire-sur-l'Adour | 30,0 | 577,6 |
| 6 | Arzacq-Arraziguet | 32,7 | 610,3 |
| 7 | Arthez-de-Béarn | 31,0 | 641,3 |
| 8 | Navarrenx | 32,2 | 673,5 |
| 9 | Aroue | 18,7 | 692,2 |
| 10 | Ostabat | 24,5 | 716,7 |
| 11 | Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port | 22,5 | 739,2 |
| 12 | Roncesvalles | 26.5 | 765.7 |
Deuxième Moitié - Segunda Mitad - Second Half
|
| De Roncesvalles |
|
|
| 13 | Larrasoaña | 27 | 792.7 |
| 14 | Pamplona | 19.7 | 812.4 |
| 15 | Bifurcation à San Sebastian | 30 | 842.4 |
| 16 | A San Sebastian | 30 | 872.4 |
| 17 | San Sebastian | 15 | 887.4 |
| 18 | Getaria | 26,8 | 914.2 |
| 19 | Deba | 19.5 | 933.7 |
| 20 | Markina Xemein | 23,1 | 956.8 |
| 21 | Gernika | 25,3 | 982.1 |
| 22 | Lezama | 25,3 | 1007.4 |
| 23 | Bilbao | 12,0 | 1019.4 |
| 24 | Portugalete | 14,7 | 1034.1 |
| 25 | Castro Urdiales | 35,2 | 1069.3 |
| 26 | Hazas (Liendo) | 29,0 | 1098.3 |
| 27 | Santoña | 12,0 | 1110.3 |
| 28 | Santander | 30,7 | 1141 |
| 29 | Puente Arce | 21,2 | 1162.2 |
| 30 | Santillana del Mar | 23,9 | 1186.1 |
| 31 | Comillas | 22,4 | 1208.5 |
| 1( Sept) | Unquera | 28,0 | 1236.5 |
| 2 | Llanes | 25,8 | 1262.3 |
| 3 | Ribadesella | 29,8 | 1292.1 |
| 4 | Colunga | 20,5 | 1312.6 |
| 5 | San Salvador de Valdediós | 26,7 | 1339.3 |
| 6 | Pola de Siero | 18,4 | 1357.7 |
| 7 | Oviedo | 17,6 | 1375.3 |
| 8 | Grado | 24,9 | 1400.2 |
| 9 | Salas | 21,7 | 1421.9 |
| 10 | Tineo | 18,8 | 1440.7 |
| 11 | Pola de Allande | 27,0 | 1467.7 |
| 12 | La Mesa | 20,9 | 1488.6 |
| 13 | Grandas de Salime | 15,5 | 1504.1 |
| 14 | A Fonsagrada | 26,9 | 1531 |
| 15 | O Cadavo Baleira | 23,5 | 1554.5 |
| 16 | Lugo | 31,1 | 1585.6 |
| 17 | San Román de Retorta | 17,8 | 1603.4 |
| 18 | Melide | 28,0 | 1631.4 |
| 19 | Santa Irene | 30,8 | 1662.2 |
| 20 | SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA | 23,3 | 1685.5 |
Greetings,
