my camino starts today!!

[Coolbeans]

Im going to sjpdp tomorrow morning,flying from gatwick to biarritz and then so on.
Ive packed 18 times again and again in the last 24 hours and now its just the wait till the morning,where in fact im going to airport tonight,rather than early morning ,so really the camino for me starts tonight! (i might pack again)
Very excited and anxious to actually be going,and only made the decision to go three weeks prior....So its just one foot in front of the other and hopefully be at the sea side by sept 17?.
Hopefully ill see fellow camino walkers at biarritz so ill know where to look for the bus?
buen camino

[Covey]

Just look for the slightly nervous looking folk wearing the baggy trousers with map pockets and carrying a pack. Those heading for the beach at Bairritz ain't carrying packs cos Bairritz is an upmarket resort for the smart Paris set.

The bus stop for the bus to Bayonne is just to the left of the main doors as you exit the terminal building (there is only one!).

Buen Camino Coolbeans!! Let us all know how you get on. If your pack is too heavy, you will know about it by the time you get to Orison which is 7kms from St Jean!!

PS: If you are going Easyjet, they have a baggage drop desk open this evening for those on the Oh Christ Double Zero flight to Bairritz in the morning, BUT the security check gates don't open till about 3am. The good news is that you will be in St Jean by lunchtime and have time to have a wander around and relax. Enjoy!!

[Coolbeans]

Thanks Covey, advice taken.. I am actually with easy jet so i will be doing just as you have said. im wondering whether to stay in st jean tomorrow and get a feel of the place and find somewhere till friday and start early in the morning.. any recommendations mate?

[Coolbeans]

well im awaiting my flight to biarritz now and still a touch nervous.. just weighed my pack and its a beautiful 12 kg!!!!
lets see how i get on with that?...ill no doubt lose some stuff or donate a bit on the way which will drastically lighten the load but im sure ill find out on the way to the orrisson, if there is any space..?? cant wait really..not seen any telltale caminoists at the airport, but its still early..
could do with some shut eye though...chance would be a fine thing..
laters

[Lipka149]

Hey Beaner !

Don't be afraid to reach out and ask others if they are caminantes ! Almost everyone is scared at the beginning, so be a good guy and relieve their tension. After all, you have been talking to us.

12kg is doable ... it's just a matter of how long you can do it. Your feedback here will help others, so be sure to post !

You will be fine, mate.

[Vamos]

Wish I were in your shoes. Remember the donating of my "useless stuff" all too well. You'll see how much you'll be able to do without with much surprise but heaven for your body in a week's time. Enjoy!!!

[Coolbeans]

Well i made it.... I started on the 17th august and got to santiago on the 20th sept.
The whole experience was better than i thought it would be. From the very boring sjpp to roncevalles it took about 6-7 hours with breaks and stops. I took in all the incredible views and weather, all the way up and all the way down..It started pretty grim with a slight drizzle and lots of mist but once i got past the Orrison and actually to the peak i found it rather easy, but the weather did change for the worst when i was up there and actually thought to myself, why am i doing this??... all that talk of being the hardest climb was infact a "walk in the park", i thought ,compared to the other "delights" that awaited me. tbc
Roncevalles was a lovely surprise... one of the cleanest places i stayed in, dutch owned and very friendly. Slept very well that night. The wine helped.