Each October, I have the pleasure of taking a group of new hikers over the Pyrenees to experience a taste of the Camino de Santiago. This year, we were a party of 12 and I must say, the group bonded so well and we enjoyed every step along the way, even though it wasn’t plain sailing! I vlogged the journey, from the initial travelling day to arriving in Pamplona. I hope you enjoy this mini blog series.
I WOULDN’T RECOMMEND RYANAIR!
- Stansted to Biarritz (Camino 2021)
- The one with the octopus 🐙
🚗 6.30 am and we are on our way to Stansted. I’ve collected Emma, Snay & Rob and Waze is directing us towards the A14. I feel like a little kid on Xmas eve.
8 am – We arrive at the Mid Stay car park, and hop on the bendy bus that takes us to the airport. We are here 3hrs before the flight ✈️ otherwise Ryanair charge us £55 each for late check-in! Cheeky!!
👨 👩 10.30 am- The check-in desk closes at 11.05 am and we are still waiting for two people! Where are they?
🤚 Denise has had her nails painted in Camino colours which is awesome. We spend time wandering around the shops trying to kill time but inside all sorts of scenarios is going through my mind with the two that haven’t arrived yet!
🔔 11 am ping! My phone beeps as our last two pilgrims message me to say they are in the security line. Phew!!
✈️ Flight delayed! 1hr! I message the taxi service in Biarritz to let them know.
😷 12.50 pm – We are off! 30 mins into the flight I take out my coconut mushrooms and offer them to Emma, Rob and the guy sitting to my right. We chat with him but he starts coughing which makes you feel incredibly uncomfortable on an aeroplane! He explains that he has has a cough for the last three months and just can’t get rid of it. It’s not Covid and he tested three times in the last three weeks.
🛌 3 pm – Landed in Biarritz. We needed the Covid pass and French declaration form. It’s a dinky airport and we skip through customs. I meet Jack from the taxi service and he gives me a big grin! Jack has two x 8 seater mini busses and takes us all to the Raddison Blu hotel in Biarritz, right near the beach. Wow! Our twin room is huge with two double beds.
📱 Oh no! Denise has left her phone on the bus. Jack the taxi man is now in Spain but has messaged to say he will drop it back at the hotel later. How good is that? Let’s go exploring!
🍷 Biarritz is a fabulous town. We weaved our way down the sloped path and dodged the scooters doing wheelies. We drank wine 🍷 while the sun started to set and admired the surfers 🏄♂️ doing their thing in the sea. The pressure of the day evaporated and the cool breeze washed over me as the laughter of my fellow hikers filled the air.
🐙 All 12 of us ate together in a seafront restaurant. The meal was exquisite and I indulged in fresh octopus for the very first time. It was delicious.
10.20 pm – I’m now tucked up in bed and ready for sleep. It’s been the perfect start to another Camino adventure.
Tomorrow we start walking!
🚶♀️ 🚶♀️ 🚶♀️ 🚶♀️