Pamplona the early morning start

Pamplona

Another beautiful day in the basque country, hot clear skies and an early start for us so as not to walk in the blazing sun.


Walking as the sun comes up is gorgeous. The light on the fields is soft and the horses and cows neck bells are tinkling as they wake up. Beautiful countryside today, fields of wheat, shaded woods with birch trees in soft green spring bud, wild flowers and stone buldings that are stunning.......more Austrian looking with shuters (?)

Today a 22k walk to Pamplona. Not too bad going but the blister count is up to six between us. Great to walk through the city walls and to Pamplona cathedral, lovely old town.  We will stay here a few daysnand doctor our blisters so we can carry on.


Some quick pics

St Jean Pied Port to Zubria...2 days on the Camino

Sitting in a bar in Zubria, a small village which has a wi spot.

We started our Camino on Wed 9th with a 27k walk over the Pyranees pass. From the outset it was tough going but amazing countryside. We made it to  Roncesvalles in about 7 hours of hard up hill slog. Long day but was great to see the monastry at the end of the day and a bed and shower and beer never felt so good.    One big blister.....ouch.

Thursday 10th, walked another 21k to Zubria. After day one didnt think we would ever walk again but here we are.  Tomorrow 21 k to Pamplona.

Here are some quick photo,s as wifi patchy.

creative art for the wall and the waist line...

Paris combines the very old with the very modern in similar but different ways...

Paris

Have spent two full days in Paris walking and exploring the sites and the back streets away from the tourist hustle and bustle.

Amazing monuments, museums, architecture and sculptures.
 Favourite things...... walking down a back street and finding a local street market where local people were buying their flowers, bread, cheeses. Everything was so fresh and beautifully displayed. Ladies with bundles of flowers under one arm and a wee dog on a lead in the other hand.

Loved walking around St Germaine, found a 400 year old Robinia tree in a wee park by Notre Dame, the oldest vineyard in Paris on the side of a hill in Monmarte, the old flour windmills, the  Pompidou centre and the incredible art collection there. Too much to list all here and wi-fi is a bit dodgey.    

Farewell San Francisco

May 2 2012

Tomorrow we leave for Paris after having the most wonderful time in San Francisco with family.
Its been great fun exploring the city and doing all the usual tourist things....walk the Golden Gate bridge

Exploring Golden Gate Park, watching my nephew play rugby.....they play just like they do in NZ!

Visiting Berkley University, exploring the shops but not buying anything....we'd have to lug it across the many miles ahead of us. We were extremely lucky to get to go to a Giants game last night....great experience....the fans...the hype....the ferry trip over and back and seeing the city all aglow with the office lights. Loved riding the cable cars and seeing the amazing range of buildings from old to new.
Some pics to follow

Next post is from Paris....its going to have to be a outstanding to beat the wonderful experiences we have had here. Very special thanks to my family for making this visit so special.