What an early start! 😴 At 1:30 am, I was wide awake in my room at the Premier Inn at Stansted Airport – a full hour before I needed to get up! You know how it goes with early flights – too worried about oversleeping to sleep. A hot bath and some strong coffee helped me power through the pre-dawn fog, and before long, I was getting ready to head to the airport.
🚍 After a quick catch-up with Cheryl (who was also wide awake!), I parked the car at 3:10 a.m. and hopped onto the shuttle bus to meet her at the terminal. Ryanair had warned us to arrive three hours early due to security staff shortages, so we were all set for potential chaos—but as it turned out, the airport was surprisingly calm. We easily sailed through security, leaving us plenty of time to relax over breakfast at Wetherspoons.
As 4 am rolled around, the group began to gather. Lou, Ali, Ann, and Kate arrived first, and I was still waiting on Tash, Donna, Paul, and Maxine. No drama though – everyone made it on time, and we headed off to gate 44 with plenty of time to spare, excited and ready for our adventure to officially begin. ✈️
The flight to Biarritz was smooth and quick. Kate’s excitement really lit up the moment – the joy at spotting the Pyrenees mountains and the vast stretch of sea was contagious. It’s such a pleasure to see the trip through the fresh eyes of someone on their first Camino. Before we knew it, we were landing in Biarritz, and there was James from Biarritz Airport Taxis waiting to whisk us away to our hotel.
Hotel Villa Koegui was a wonderful first stop – beautifully clean, stylish, and with service that made us feel right at home. After a quick refresh, we headed out to explore the gorgeous town of Biarritz. 🌊 This place is such a hidden gem! We wandered the streets, admired the stunning architecture, visited the local church, and even had a paddle in the sea. Sipping wine with the group, soaking in the coastal beauty, and hearing the laughter of new friends – it felt like the perfect prelude to the adventure that lay ahead.
🍽 For dinner, we chose a trendy spot with a quirky name – “Jack The Cockerel.” Not only was the food delicious, but the views of the sea were breathtaking. As the sun began to set, we swapped stories, shared a few laughs, and bonded over our excitement for what was to come. The group clicked so well, which was such a reassuring start. Tomorrow, the real adventure begins as we move into a bunkhouse for the night – our first true taste of the Camino spirit! 🥾
By 10 pm, after a full day of excitement, I was ready to crash, knowing the next morning we’d take our first steps on the Camino. Thanks for following along – the journey has only just begun!
Thanks for taking the time to read the blog.