Stepping Out to St Jean de Luz

I donned the pack and boots and began my sauntering towards Santiago, stopping off at Cathedral de Bayonne to light a candle and get a stamp

Then it was time to move! It took a while to find my bearings  walking around in circles for a while until I asked a passerby to confirm I was on the right track. I was and he agreed to take my photo 

Relieved that I was heading the right way, I quickly realised that today was not going to be a walk in the park. There was no signage, and in some places no footpath so I spent a lot of time along the sides of busy roads with a thin line between me and eternity. Don’t worry I kept jumping into the long grass to avoid oncoming traffic. Near the Biarritz Airpot I found myself walking down the median strip

I made it for lunch in Bidart and then turned right toward the beach

Bliss - I had footpath!

I walked down onto the sand looking somewhat out of place and decided to keep heading south. The scenery was pretty amazing in all sorts of ways!

Then I came to rocks- ok I can do this. So with my pack and walking pole  and trusty grippy boots, I watched the surf, planned my moves, then climbed and clambered over the slippery surfaces.

Eventually I got back to a sandy beach and dropped my gear and went for a swim. It was magic!

Some  of the afternoon was spent walking along a coastal path that had signage - at last!

And later in the afternoon, walking by weekend traffic as people made their way home after a day at the beach.

As I walked into St Jean de Luz I decided to forego the hostal  experience. I was hot and tired  and I wanted a room to myself . I found a comfortable hotel, cleaned up and went to dinner 

My first day of walking was done ☑️