Thursday 2nd November Ostabat to St Jean Pied de Porte Yesterday when the proprietor picked us up from our sombre gite (from the land of no return) and drove us down the hill I noticed for the first time the road signs indicating St Jean Pied de Port- our final destination- it has become a reality after 34 days -we will finally get to the end of the string. It is a funny feeling at this stage as there is the sense of achievement, there is a sense of relief, ther...

Wednesday 1st November Auroe to Ostabat It's a meagre breakfast today - there is no Madame to provide us any delicacies and our last bit of bread has to be made to stretched to supply four hungry tummies. Luckily there is butter and jam in the fridge and enough coffee to fill the last filter paper we found to make some coffee. Washing up is done and the kitchen is put back into order. We are finishing the French chemin not in a world of gastronomic delights tha...

Tuesday 31st October Navarrenx to Aroue For nearly the first time since starting, we have a chilly start to the day- our breath comes out in thick wisps and I pull my sleeves over my fingers. The pharmacie sign tells us that it is 7degrees but the sky is a clear blue with a shining sun. It is enjoyable to be on the path and as well as that the path is enjoyable- thick leaves on the forest floor. We are joined today by a new walker - a retired Frenchman from To...

Monday 30th October Rain fell last night so the morning is a sea of mist. It clings to the hair but doesn't create too much bother. Later in the day the mist turns to actual rain and we are fortunate enough to find an overhanging roof of a barn protecting the hay bales. We sit on a piece of farm machinery to eat our morning fruit and watch the clouds dump their contents before we continue on our way. But I digress- back to our host of last night. Our host the ...

Sunday 29th October Arzacq-Arraziguet to Arthez-De-Béarn Daylight savings finished last night so we gained an extra hour - even so we wake at the same time. The body is programmed to be on auto cue and ready to begin its day's work . Our great idea of finding a taxi doesn't work so well this morning as it's Sunday and they are not to be found. All is not lost though as our delightful host offers his services and will drive us to where we want to go - he is...