Day 28 Navarrenx to Aroue-Ithorots-Olhaiby

I have to confess that Martin and myself were a touch on the rowdy side in our room last night, our hysterics was cut short by the person next door banging on the wall.

We were up and ready to go at 0830, we met the team outside the hotel.

We crossed over the river and were on our way.

I am only sorry that I had not had time to look around this fortified town.

There were lots of walkers out today, some days you hardly see a soul, lots of people just walk small sections of this amazing walk every year.

It is noticeable that a lot of the latter part of the Le Puy  is spent on Tarmac.

You can just see the Pyrenees in the background.

We stopped at a farm for a drink and met up with a lot of other walkers,

A typical Camino coming together moment, everybody is always so friendly.

Dog on a blog .

I could not resist a selfie with this friendly little treasure .

Then this little chap muscled in on the action.

Bliss!!!!

We had already covered half the walk by 1030.

Before I knew it today's walk was over and much to my delight the Camino did not have a nasty surprise today.

We stopped for some lunch and I had a quick snooze on the bench outside.

We then walked to our Gite.

Poor Jean Michelle's feet were really playing up, I gave him the remainder of my footcare supplies. He has been suffering since Cahors.

Spot the socks.

We arrived at our Gite mid afternoon and I had a shower and a snooze. My clothes were washed in a washing machine, I am being spoilt.

Our host.

Our host took us to the local restaurant in his mini bus, I must say I was a bit nervous as it seemed to be held together by masking tape, we lurched around the first corner and the back seat collapsed launching Jean and myself into the air.

We had dinner then had to ride the beast again on the way back, we were in hysterics.

Dinner was terrible a bowl of gruel followed by a piece of pork that looked like the sole of my boot and probably tasted the same, in fact I reckon my boot might have been more tender.

Back at the Gite Jean produced a bottle of Armagnac out of his rucksack, goodness knows what else he has in there, I know for sure there is a bottle of red lurking, what a character, he told me earlier his rucksacks weighs 12 kilos, now I know why !!!!

Stats for today

Distance walked 12.5 

Distance to go 25 miles.

Steps taken 26007 

I am still suffering with my conjunctivitis, I do not think all the pollen is helping my cause.

Day 27 Maslacq to Navarrenx

We had planned to meet the lads at 0930 as it was going to be a short walk, well that is what we thought it would be but this Camino has a sting in its tail!!!!

Sadly all our plans went out of the window as my conjunctivitis has got a lot worse and we decided to get to our next destination so I could see a doctor, I phoned ahead to the hotel we were going to be staying at and they got an appointment arranged for me.

We were on the road by 0830, needless to say it was raining. I think I was sporting a slight hangover.

I am pleased to say my boots were holding up even though they were letting in water.

It was not long before we were climbing steeply and that set the tone for the rest of the day.

That wonderful time of day, spot the socks.

This is were I go for the sympathy vote, my eyes are so sticky I am having trouble seeing what I am writing.

Thankfully the sun came out for about an hour.

The hills just kept on coming.

I considered hitching a lift.

This one is for you Guy.

What a beauty.

Girls at the office this one is for you.

We climbed we descended we climbed we descended and so it went on.

Dog on a blog reluctant super star.

These French dogs always show their best side.

Navarrenx could not come soon enough as far as I concerned, all I cared about was seeing a doctor as I was having trouble seeing the markers.

What has really surprised me is that  I have not seen a pothole since I started my walk and believe you me I have seen some roads.

Finally we arrived at Navarrenx.

Within twenty minutes of arriving I had had been seen by the local doctor who prescribed three different medicines, I prey they will weave their spell soon.

 

We checked into our hotel, then repaired to the bar and awaited Jean and Jean Michelle.

We did not have to wait long!!!

Stats for today.

Walked 14 miles

Steps taken 33000 

Today was a really tough hilly walk, probably not helped by the hpunishing pace to get here quickly.

Only 33 miles to go and three days 

to do it in, it does not sound a lot on paper, I suspect the Camino will prove otherwise, it normally does !!!!

We are back walking with Jean and Jean Michlee tomorrow as we intend to walk over the finishing line together on Thursday, that is if everything goes to plan !!!!