Day One

Starting point in Aire-sur-L'Adour
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Day 1, May 18

Aire-sur-L’Adour to Miramont-Sensacq

Distance: 19km

932km to Santiago, 19km from start

View of other Pilgrims on the way to Latrille
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Marie starts our first day wearing her ‘Life is Good’ T-shirt. Let’s hope so.  Most of the people at the hotel were having their things transferred by van to the next village. They don’t plan to complete the Camino this trip and they’ll be out for a week or two traveling in an organized group. Very civilized.

We’re not on that plan so it’s our last chance to mail stuff back. Our many efforts at re-organization, managed to scrap out just over 10lbs. This is a huge victory. We take it to La Poste . . .and ship it!

The village of Miramont-Senacq first night
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No more excuses, we head out. It’s cloudy and a little misty but not cold. I’ve got several detailed maps. With these and the trail markings, staying on course is no problem. There are two types of markings. One is a set of red and white painted horizontal stripes of Frances’ official ‘ Grand Randonee ‘ (this is GR65). The other is a yellow tag with scallop shells (the symbol of Santiago) posted along the path.

Things went well. Nice countryside, farms and villages, low rolling hills following mostly small lanes or cart paths. Trails muddy in a few places but not too bad. My pack feels heavy, way heavy. Going to take some getting used to. Marie is completely unfazed and is pulling the pace along nicely. Starting about 12km all I can think about is how to ditch the laptop . . . won’t be easy.

18.5km is just about right for a first day . . . it’s best to be careful early on.

We saw two men wearing berets . . . I guess off the beaten path some things still survive. They looked very old so it may not survive too much longer.

A last hill took us to Miramont-Senacq. A church on top, there are views all the way to the Pyrenees on a clear day. It wasn’t a clear day. Found Hotel Beaumont after some walking around. Again,clean basic, shower and sink but toilet shared down the hall (a pattern emerges).

I was really beat and slept for about an hour. Marie joined me mostly out of pity. We met a german couple at the small outdoor bar connected to the hotel. His name was Leo and he was a 69 year old locomotive engineer. His partner was probably not his wife but they’d been together for a while.

Dinner was a fixed meal at the hotel. Good, wholesome and local. Got the room, dinner, and breakfast for 60Eur . . . right up my alley. Very little English spoken here. Thank goodness for Marie!

Villages: Aire-sur-L’Adour, Latrille, Miramont-Senacq

# Men with berets: 2 (cum)