I paid €28 for my night in the Orisson, that was for diner and my bed in a small dorm. Okay price wise, but hell I thought if I had to pay every night like that. However this was the most expensive until I reached Santiago. The host in the Orisson was great, friendly, the whole place is run well and I recommend it.
The money was worth it. The views in the morning from the Orisson are great, looking down on smaller mountains, with the morning mist floating between them. I will get around to scanning these pictures at some time for the site.
It is about 14 or 15 km to Roncescalles, to me it felt so much more. But today it was not all up hill again. The views are just incredible, film like. I felt like I wanted to fall into the beauty of my surrounding and be swallowed up in peace.
Eagles and buzzards flew overhead. Eagles alone or in pairs, buzzards in packs. Sometimes they flew only 20 or 30 metres above me; and I could hear the noise of their wings as they floated through the sky, catching the morning thermals.
My feet hurt – a whole new post has to be written on that.
The walk down into Roncesvalles was hard on the knees. It is very steep going down, however the views down into the valley are somewhat distracting. Tonight my first taste of a real albergue.
Hi Les. Yes indeed, I remember that hostel as well and by god it was
the most welcomed resting point on the entire Camino. I know it’s
only 8km from St Jean to Orisson but it feels a hell of a lot longer,
not to mention the most difficult climb of the entire walk?? I had a
dream the other night after our conversation on Friday. I dreamt that
I got the SNCF down from Paris to Bayonne-Bayonne to St Jean. I began
walking the steep Napolean climb, forgetting to visit the pilgrim office
to collect my pilgrim credentials. After reaching Orrison, they would not
allow to sleep there as I didn’t not have the credential…that’s all I rmemeber.
Scary or what??
I also thought I should tell you that on my flight back to Paris yesterday evening,
I was reading the aerlingus inflight magazine entitled Cara. I’m sure
you’ve come across it. In it, there were 7 holiday ideas, one of which included
walking the camino de santiago. The information was ridiculously inaccurate and
it even read that the walk begins in Leon??!! I immediately thought of you and smirked
to myself. I envisaged how frustrated you would have been reading it.
Thinking, this is bullshit, I could have done that! And you would be
100% correct.
Good to hear from you – back in Paris, good, now time to study a bit?
Camino again soon for you? Anna and I have some news, will mail you soon.
take care.
Hi I am in the process of arranging the walk across the camino with my wife. We have booked flights from New Zealand to Paris, and am aware we then have to get to St Pied de Port.
What do you refer to as the SCNF? ie how do I get to St Pied de port.
I also intend staying at Orisson, shoulds one book accomodation there in advance, and if so what is the best procedure
Regards
Neil Wynne
Hi,
Sncf is the French railways you will get them here http://www.sncf.com/ and if you check this page of the site http://www.caminodesantiago.me.uk/albergues.html it list most of the hostels, it will be updated before the end of Jan.
All the best.
Haven’t done the Route but walked Roncevalles back to Orisson one day and met many pilgrims. Have walked a lot in the Pyrenees and don’t think you could find better than the reception or the fayre at Orisson. I know them well and it would be important to book early as they have a lot of advanced bookings. The price is very fair for the facilities at this highest point of refreshments on the walk. Tony O’Kane