Wow!!! What a great day!!

We started walking in the rain, hard rain but it was fine. There was snow on the Pyrenees and it was beautiful.

As we started walking I asked Noël how are you?

Noël: I’m good

Me: physically?

Noël: yeah!

Me: mentally?

Noël: yeah!

And then typically we got distracted and didn’t finish the conversation until we were about 4 kms from SJPdP.

And the gist of it is, except for a few pains here and there, we feel great physically. Our mental attitude is positive and open. And our souls feel alive. Walking with your belongings on your back for days on end is eye opening. You realize that you are capable of much more than you ever thought!! Literally climbing mountains and walking through valleys. You are overcoming obstacles many of which are mental.

The word for this is transformational. After my first Camino my view on life completely changed, and each time since it continues to change. For which I’m grateful.

Buen Camino!!

After sharing our plans of the need to move forward by Uber we have received so many encouraging words and comments. which has helped a lot with our mixed emotions.

I think one of my favorite phrases is “it’s your Camino” meaning you have decide how to take each day, how far you will travel, how much you carry, how you will travel, with whom you travel, how you will eat, drink, sleep. And I believe that the harshest critic you can have yourself with ugly self talk and self doubt.

Some of the important lessons I learn and celebrate again and again while being being on Camino are:

🎉to let go and be

🎉listening to my body, my heart, my soul

🎉being open to concerns of family and friends

🎉pacing myself

🎉pilgrimage doesn’t have a destination it is a journey

🎉face the obstacles, distractions, hurdles, challenges with courage, grace and a little bit of humor

🎉take the opportunity to rest when it presents itself

🎉hydrate well and eat healthy

🎉speak to self and others with kindness and nonjudgmental words and tones

🎉celebrating the victories, especially the small ones

For me as an everyday pilgrim these learnings translate into everyday life. Some days are easier than others but I’m committed to staying open to these and even making room for more growth as I continue my journey through life.

I hope this helps you as you continue on your journey. Buen Camino/Good Way!!

The other day while visiting with William, my son we were talking about pilgrimages and how pilgrims often use different forms of travel. We both enjoy Lord of the Rings and talked about all the various ways the Fellowship of the rings traveled, walking, horses, boats, eagles, being kidnapped and carried by Orcs.

Our conversation was prompted because I was telling him that due to the fact that we underestimated the time and mileage from the Netherlands to Le Puy en Velay, France we were moving ahead again. I said, some people will say we are cheating!” To which he quickly replied, “It’s only cheating if it’s a competition!”

Since pilgrimage, by my own definition is “A journey of thoughtful intention with an unknown outcome,” this new motto fits in nicely.

We have experienced so many things on this adventure: rainstorms, blizzards, sloshing through rushing creeks, mud, steep inclines and declines, challenging situations, lovely people, mud, thought provoking conversations, singing, difficult decisions, dog snuggles, mud, snow, ice, fun, sadness, joy…it has truly been a journey of thoughtful intention with an unknown outcome and not a competition.

On Monday our host will take us to Montauban where we will get an Uber to Larceveau which is 19 kms before Saint Jean de Pied Port. On Tuesday we will walk into Sjpdp . We will then take a few days rest before starting out again on the Camino Frances.

We are so grateful for the support and encouragement so many of you give us daily!! It truly helps us and inspires us.

Today was a very long day. We started out of Cahors and it was immediately up and very steep and on the edge of the mountain. Father and son passed us on the way up making it look super easy.

We took our rest stops where we could along the way and enjoyed a leisurely pace. We even found an open cafe. I had a wonderful salad and Noël had meat and fries. This is a perfect stop Les Halles aux Bastide, the owner is friendly and very accommodating!!

We climbed a hill today in what is supposed to be a flat area and we climbed over 250 meters in just 3 kms and I burned 400 calories in that hill alone. 😂😂😂

We met the father and son again, Simon and Kean (sp?) from Quebec, Veronique and Fabian from France. We had such a lively and lovely dinner!!