Our Walk Along the Via Podiensis (GR 65)

Pilgrim Wisdom on Chemin de Saint-Jacques Via Podiensis GR65 Hike We got up around 5:30 AM and made our way downstairs in the dark. We couldn't figure out the coffee maker, so we made some instant coffee of our own and helped ourselves to bread and jam. As we ate we were joined by several other pilgrims, and eventually, the baker arrived with a basket of baked goods. A bun with strawberry and apple jam swirls was a nice addition to breakfast. We set off around 6:30 AM with a couple of German ladies whom we saw on and off all day. Hiking Arthez-de-Bearn Arthez-de-Bearn is a fairly long town, so the first few kilometres were spent in a residential section. The downtown area, which we didn't visit last night, was quite nice looking too. We also passed a couple horses on the way out of town, and we fed them an apple. The view out across the valley revealed a large industrial park, which made us wonder what is produced in this area. We spent the first couple hours of the ...

Sunflowers and Trail Magic Via Podiensis Camino Today was another fairly long hike being 33.8 km, and it seemed like we finally entered the foothills of the still-invisible Pyrenees.  It was a beautiful walk, complete with lots of climbing. We were the first ones down to breakfast in the kitchen of the communal gite, but although it was still dark outside, other pilgrims soon joined us for the typical breakfast of coffee, baguettes, jams, and yogurt.  After a quick meal, we set out, just as it was beginning to get light.  We followed the trail markers into the middle of the town, which consisted of a kind of central promenade with shops along all sides. After some confusion and the help of friendly locals when we chose the wrong street, we found the appropriate alley and headed out of town. The trail led down a hill and across a large reservoir or lake.  It looked like a very nice spot where people could enjoy a picnic. From there we headed out into the countrys...