A daunting prospect ……

I hear you … of course climbing 1400 metres is daunting….no, I’m not talking about the Camino, rather the actual journey to our starting destination for the Camino 🙄🙄🙄

We did start early this morning…..02.50 to be precise …and the DB did great work as our taxi driver! We got to Manchester Airport in good time – the Alicante family in front of us were really raring to go . It dawned on me that Kathleen and I could secrete ourselves in just one of their suitcases ( and they had six of a similar size ) Anyway, each to their own 🤪🤪

We had to do a self bag drop ….well, I use the term loosely. Basically we had to flash our boarding passes and retrieve ( and attach ) the luggage ticket . Then after considerable assistance from a helpful member of the team , we queued again to actually “drop” the bags …not sure in the long term how that helps, but hey!!!

So then to security…I am still amazed at how many people don’t understand what they are allowed to carry and not carry ! One woman in front of us appeared to have a magician’s bag … the airport worker was pulling out a continual supply of lotions and potions. Anyway , our bags finally come along , and at the “ bag” crossroads , both were sent down the “ need to be searched” route 🙈🙈🙈🙈

There was me muttering about all these others with no ideathat I had been equally negligent…I blame the DB though. He had given me a gadget to apply sun lotion without getting your hands greasy …naturally I had filled it with sun lotion but forgotten that I had it in my rucksack, and that was the cause of my problem. Humble pie eaten 🙈🙈 Kathleen, on the other hand had no such misdemeanour and her bag was returned immediately .

We then went to wait for our flight to be called …and when it was, it was to Gate 128 . Strange that as there were only 35 gates ! Then we realised it was 12B 🙄🙄🙄

Our flight I’m pleased to say was trouble free ….we landed, passed through border control easily enough and collected our luggage .

Then we had to catch the bus to San Sebastián …stops outside the airport so no trouble. Except muggins here bought two tickets for travel with a bus company that only goes from the centre of Bilbao . Once I realised the error of my ways 🙈🙈🙈we purchased new tickets and we’re on our way !!

We met up with my son Tom and had a really lovely afternoon with him in Saint Jean de Luc, with lunch followed by an ice cream before heading to catch our transfer bus to Saint Jean Pied de Port.

We arrived here safely ….

Trip advisor reviews suggest this hotel may be likened to Fawlty Towers, with its very own French Basil Fawlty . No sign of him on our arrival …nor anyone who could assist in carrying our bags up two flights of fairly doddery stairs . No matter, we were not down hearted ( and dare I say slightly relieved not to be met by a grumpy old man !)

We decided to go on a walking tour of Saint Jean Pied de Port …fortunately by accident we found the Pilgrim’s Office where we were given a map of our route tomorrow…a real “ up and over” 🤪🤪🤪 but we learnt there is one part of the route that is extremely dangerous and to be avoided FULL STOP. Do not fret Dear Reader…we know that when we reach a pole ( and we know where that pole is 😉😉) , we take a right turn rather than going straight on !!! Thank goodness that in our quest to research the fermented grape juice of the region, we fell upon the Pilgrim Office!

Regarding said fermented grape juice, we did manage to source some and trial it for you all ….not Alberiño as I said in my previous blog but a nice little Rueda ( the only wine in truth that didn’t break the bank !!!) More research required I think !!!

So tomorrow ….well that is also a daunting prospect ….

There is a lot of “up” and a steep “ down” at the end …

So we’ll catch up tomorrow if we’re spared Dear Reader ….Goodnight one and all…and “a demain” – though by tomorrow evening we’ll have crossed the Spanish border so I can also say “ Hasta Mañana” !!