Survived a fall ... hiking pole bent!

Today, as we went through the wonderful city of Pamplona, we walked through the area where they have the running of the bulls and a marathon that was in progress and saw another beautiful cathedral.

Ramparts on the entrance to city of Pamplona

One of many beautiful cathedrals yet to be explored!

Last couple of days have taken us through some incredibly beautiful countryside, vineyards, white asparagus fields, almond trees, olive trees and beautiful red poppies covering the roadsides and sprouting up here and there between the dark green wheat fields. All of it has been a feast for the senses and especially the spirit!

White asparagus fields
Feet are tired after another day of walking, yesterday there was a bit of a mishap and I survived it better than some who fell in the same place. Yet again we covered ground that was extremely slippery and when I fell I used my pole to brace myself and so the hiking pole did not fare quite so well unfortunately.

The summit of a mountain outside the city of Pamplona.

Knights Templar Cathedral ... (We took a detour, and added on a few more kms, so 'we' could see it. ;o)

The sun came out yesterday and we have been sporting a bit of a burn here and there and are lathering on the sunscreen.

White asparagus row, the one outside the black plastic has turned green from receiving sunshine.

More beauty!

Today we had the great privilege to walk along a Roman road for a long distance. We have to yet fully process such an opportunity as this! Can you imagine. We are truly blessed. Thank you to Tianna and Ray for looking after our boys and our dog it allows us to have these experiences and the ones yet to come.

God´s richest blessings to you all!

Mud! Mud! and more Mud!

Charis it was so special to get your note just now, just wonderful! I wrote a response to it, but, can´t seem to publish it. It is so beautiful that you and Andrew will have to come some day and do it for yourself ... we are quite sure you will. :) Our pictures just can´t reveal all that this countryside and culture is like ... truly amazing.


We completed 33 km yesterday, I would like to say it was a 'piece of cake', but, true to form, Dad says "it was more like a mud pie!" and he is so right ... we traversed trails most of the way that were like streams with thick mud, which had us zig-zagging the entire way. All I can say is thank goodness for hiking poles! They were truly a blessing for so many reasons, mostly for stability, but, also because the terrain was steep going up and down.

Martin, on one of the first, of several, ancient bridges we would eventually cross over.

Another bridge ... me, a little bit wet!

The sun came out for lunch break, we were blissfully unaware that the roughest part of the day's trek was yet ahead!

Fellow pilgrim, Paul from Korea (Earlier in the day Martin's good backpack cover fell off a bridge and into the river below.) :

Beautiful front facade on home, decorated with the Camino scallop shell motif.

We stayed last night in an albergue with a South African, British, Canadian, Korean, American, German, Greek, and we all had supper together. Quite something!


The day before yesterday we walked through a forest that was well-known for having witch´s covens in the dark. So they errected a large white stone white cross to protect and drive out the witches. Something like the one below.

We stayed last night in a great albergue that is within an ancient cathedral which has been welcoming pilgrims since the 11th Century. Can you imagine this! 


We are staying tonight just outside of Pamplona and tomorrow will begin our walk by going up a mountain once again and looking back to see the city of Pamplona in the distance before we head down the other side. We have been told that the way can be difficult. So we will hopefully sleep well and be well rested for the task that is before us. I have only one tiny blister thus far, which has happened from the muddy water oozing into my shoes. Martin wants to make sure that I put down that he has none! We both are sporting tight calves today, but, wouldn´t expect it to be any different considering what the terrain has been.

This walk has given us many opportunities to see how God has blessed us time and time again, even in small things we have noticed how we have been spared from an injury and been given a great sleep, hospitality, good meals, etc. It is blessing upon blessing!


It is Mother´s Day here and so we want to wish all those who are Mother´s back home a very Happy Mother´s Day (especially our beautiful daughter who is an incredible mom to Jesse and Jonas "A Very Happy Mother´s Day!¨"

We are at the top of the Pyrenees!

Streets of St. Jean Pied de Port ...
two excited pilgrims ... about to tackle the Pyrenees ... without a clue of what will be in-store!

Notice altitude change in day one/day two! 

We truly mean the top! We climbed four hours yesterday and four hours today what seemed to be straight up ... as dear little Jonas said, he was worried that we were going to fall off! Actually, it was a combination of highway and mountain trails which are mud ... water ... rock ... and snow covered. Quite an amazing experience!

Day One: St. Jean Pied de Port to Valcarlos
Day Two:  Valcarlos beyond Roncesvalles

We especially found the beauty of the climb yesterday quite something ... the green mountainsides, with farms that go up as high as can be seen. The lands partitioned by ancient stone walls covered in green vines and sheepfolds scattered here and there. The white stucco and stone buildings with their red tile roofs and red shuttered windows are everywhere and because all the buildings have a uniformity to them, this makes it all extra special. Yesterday the mist hung over the valley and the rains came off and on all day ... but, from everything that we have read this is not uncommon for the Basque region.

I love this old gate ...
one of many other wonderful sights yet to be experienced.

Climbing, climbing ... but, oh my, 
so very pastoral.

Mist hanging over the valley.

LEAVING FRANCE
ENTERING
NAVARRA (PROVENCE), SPAIN

Today, fortunately, our much steeper climb (of 900 m) was in both the sun and shade ... but, no rain and now snow. Just much water to contend with on the ground as it has extreme winter conditions in this region. The streams are absolutely full ... we followed one today that reminded us, in various places, of hiking along the Englishman River trails back home.


We are well. Last night´s first stay in an albergue (pilgrim´s hostel) was interesting. All the sounds and smells that go with it, but, we were prepared for this; at least as best as one can be, and for that which we are not yet quite prepared, we are continually praying for more grace.

A beautiful 13th Century cross ... one cannot help but think of the pilgrims of long ago who also passed by this way.

The summit!

Eventually reached the snow!
It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day!

We are now stopping for a bite to eat before heading on to the next albergue six km away. We hope that there will be space for us, as the one after that is 17 more kms and we don´t want to do that much today. Tomorrow we plan to do 26 km, our longest day here thus far. We will pray for a good night´s rest.

Continuing to hold you in our hearts and in our prayers. God bless you.

Backpacks have arrived! :)

We have just received our backpacks and so that is certainly a relief! They were delivered moments ago; unfortunately, it was too late for the 3:00 p.m. bus to St Jean Pied de Port. So now we have two hours and so will go to a museum. Still haven't made a decision with regard to tomorrow and whether or not we will tackle the Pyrenees - I guess the decision will wait a few more hours until we can get another weather update.


Hope all are well, we are ... after a bit more sleep.

Bayonne!

Hi there!


We are in Bayonne, France. :) Unfortunately, our backpacks remained in Paris! So, without going into all the details, we are hoping that they will be sent on the 2:00 p.m. flight. It is now 12:25 p.m.


We just had a wonderful walk in the rain, through ancient streets to see the cathedral and along the way passed many fashionable shops that my girls would love!

We learned this morning that the Pyrenees have had much snow and yesterday they had to rescue pilgrims, with hypothermia, from the mountains. :( ... we are not sure what we will be doing considering the weather. Might have to take a bus to begin with ... but, first will be waiting for backpacks. Hope everyone is well back home. Sending our love. xo

Just hours from now ...

We had a wonderful church service with all of our children, son-in-laws (expect for Kyle who was in Portland) and our little grandsons present. Following the service, Martin had all of his hair shaved off, both for a fundraiser for Self-Denial, and also to spare the 'hat hair' on the walk! It is quite a change, but, turned out great and everyone, young and old, had much fun watching it take place. First of all Floyd and Richard had him looking like 'Mo' from the Three Stooges and of course now he resembles 'Curly!'

Well folks, 4:30 a.m. will come early and although it is raining heavily outside hopefully our first plane from Nanaimo airport will be taking off at 6 a.m. and so at this time tomorrow night we will be somewhere between Toronto and Paris. My goodness air travel is amazing!

My God is so BIG

According to the following map the first day doesn't seem all that daunting does it? Hmmm ...



Yet, the elevation chart below, of the 800 km route between St Jean Pied de Port and Santiago de Compostela, reveals that the first day of 31 km from St Jean Pied de Port, France to Roncesvalles, Spain is really all about climbing straight up 'Mount Crumpit,' the Grinch's mountain in 'Whoville!'




I am so glad that I have a God that is bigger than any mountain ... this reminds me of the children's chorus that says My God is so big so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do. The mountains are God's, the valleys are God's, the stars are God's handiwork too - My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do."


I will sing this as I climb the Pyrenees - surely it can be accomplished in God's strength.