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Camino Frances 2024
  • Sam Firman
  • Sam Firman

Camino Frances 2024

Hello friends! My family and I are walking a portion of the Camino Frances route, starting in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, over the Pyrenees Mountains and into Spain. On average, we’ll cover 20-25kms per day staying at hostels along the way. Read more
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  • Trip start
    August 9, 2024
    Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler

    Getting there is half the fun… right?

    August 9, 2024 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Mid-afternoon today we received an email letting us know our flights had been delayed…. by a full DAY!! After a bit of stress, trying to keep cool under pressure and three customer service agents, we’re boarded!! Slight detour to our route but we’ll arrive in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port at the same time as originally planned 😅. Stay tuned! Hopefully we’re over the stressful part now 🤞Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler

    Frankfurt Airport

    August 10, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    It was a complicated start but we’re almost there! Just another 2 hour flight, 1 hour bus ride until we get to our first accommodation. Nice to stretch our legs a bit after the first leg of the journey!Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler
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    Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

    Aug 10–11, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    A day later, we made it to the beautiful town in France where the Camino begins: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Some of us got sleep during the travelling (ah-hem: Zack), but most of us are pretty bushed after two planes, three buses and a passenger van ride to get here.

    We checked in to our first hostel “Gite Compostela” with kids sharing a room with a French lady and Darryl, Mum and I bunked up in another. A quick walk down the street to the Pilgrim’s Office to get registered, pick up our Credential and shell symbolic to the Camino.

    We caught the end of the service in the town’s church and then off for a bite to eat for dinner.

    Tomorrow we walk! And they’re forecasting a scorcher - good thing it’s our shortest day of the bunch with an 8km hike. All uphill. Mostly in the sun. 😅☀️    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler
    21

    SJPP to Orisson

    Aug 11–12, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    A short and easy 8kms… or that’s what I thought they’d be!!

    Started out the day with a gorgeous French petit dejeuner of croissant, bread, jam, juice and coffee, hitting the trail around 9am.

    Those 8kms were the steepest and hottest I’ve ever done, and was only possible by skipping from one patch of shade to the next, for a quick rest! We climbed just shy of 700 metres to Refuge Orisson and were met by such friendly and hardworking staff, serving gorgeous food on the most breathtaking patio overlooking the peaks and valleys of the Pyrenees mountains. Gorgeous!

    A community dinner with the rest of the folks staying at the hostel where we ate, introduced ourselves and shared our Camino ‘why’.    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler

    Orisson to Roncesvalles

    Aug 12–13, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Sweet relief!!

    After an incredibly hot trek yesterday, there was a shift in weather today with cooler temps rolling in with the fog. Made for a much more enjoyable walk.

    Fluffy sheep, horses and cows were all roaming free along the trail… with the odd vulture or two keeping an eye on things. (They might have taken me for dead and picked me off yesterday!)

    We walked in and out of the clouds, along roads and trails with out-of-this-world views around every corner. About half way traded bonjours for holas as we crossed from France into Spain… stopping to get the obligatory one foot in each country pic.

    The Roncesvalles hostel is a treat with super hot showers, historic buildings and friendly staff that take care of your laundry for you.

    Looking forward to our Pilgrim’s dinner tonight!    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler
    1

    Roncesvalles to Zubiri

    August 13, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    This morning our alarm clock was a church choir and a Monk. What was yours?

    21kms today with 800ish meters up and 400ish down.

    We got to walk through a few quaint towns today, all with historical homes, that look meticulously clean with overflowing flower boxes. Somehow every day things like laundry hanging out or a simple grocery store are just cuter in Europe.

    The last part of the walk was the toughest of the day with a downhill over some rock ridges, but we were rewarded with a cool river that we could rest our feet in at the end of the day. Honestly, nothing better to end the walk! Oh, and also the showers at our hostel are incredible.    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler
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    Zubiri to Pamplona

    August 14, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    The day started off rainy and cool and we didn’t mind at all!

    In total we covered about 21kms today - although once we got to the city of Pamplona I swear we added another 5kms getting to our hostel. We had some ups, some downs but overall a pretty easy hike comparatively.

    Pamplona is definitely a vibe - you’d think this Wednesday’s was a weekend evening with the amount of energy on the streets. Beautiful architecture and people everywhere!    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler

    Pamplona to Puente la Reina

    Aug 15–16, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    24kms up a hill, down a hill and along some of the windiest paths yet!

    Today Spain is celebrating Assumption with many of of the stores closed for the day (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assumption_of_Mary) Luckily, didn’t effect us much and we were able to find breakfast and snacks on our way.

    I had a fun moment when we reached the top of the hill and found the sculpture I’ve seen a zillion times online and in movies, in real life. Zack had a blast jumping into the wind at the top trying to catch flight to the bottom I think!

    Puente la Reina is a quiet cute town and our new roomie Emma and I hit up the local pool after the walk - sweet relief! Our Pilgrims Menu dinner and our server did not disappoint!    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler

    Puente la Reina to Estella

    Aug 16–17, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We covered about 22kms today making our way to the beautiful town of Estella and my legs are tired!! I was hoping today would feel a bit easier as we gear up for a 29km day tomorrow… I may have to adopt the pace of one of the creatures in my pictures to get through!

    Agora Hostel in Estella is an absolute GEM and I 10/10 highly recommend!    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler
    1

    Estrella to Sansol

    Aug 17–18, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    The crew got up extra early this morning to try to beat the heat and we were out the door just after 6am. Unfortunately that meant we were too early for the infamous wine fountain - that didn’t open until 8am.

    The Camino delivered gorgeous sunrise views and we were surprised to catch a mini kids-version, running of the bulls as we walked through Los Arcos. So fun!

    The Palacia hostel in Sansol is a delight! Originally a palace built in 1702, it’s been beautifully restored, inclusive of a much loved foot pool. Honestly feels like a Resort - can hardly believe it was just €21 for each bed!    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler
    31

    Sansol to Logroño

    Aug 18–19, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    Cloud cover for the win!

    A bit of a cooler day for most of our walk today with temps around 23 degrees. Definitely felt warmer when the sun came out. from behind the clouds.

    All kinds of trail treats today with handfuls of wild blackberries and a couple sweet grapes. Fields of really pretty olive trees too.

    Logroño is a decent sized city with a population around 200k. In the centre of town we visited The Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda, a gorgeous building with an elaborate facade and an image attributed to Michelangelo. The craftsmanship is beyond impressive!

    Early night for the fam tonight as we plan for another big kilometre day tomorrow.    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler
    11

    Logroño to Najéra

    Aug 19–20, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Should’ve been a challenging 29kms today… but mum and I missed ONE turn that added on another 3kms 😒🥵

    We walked through a lovely park (twice) on the way out of Logroño and had a nice 12kms to Navarette. Getting to Najéra was the least picturesque stretch we’ve had so far with much of the walk running parallel to a highway on semi-paved roads. Definitely less distracted by the views today and very excited to arrive at our home for the evening.

    Tomorrow we have just one more walk left… can hardly believe it’s almost over!    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler

    Grateful

    August 20, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Dividing today’s post into two entries.

    About an hour after this photo of a memorial was taken we walked by emergency services who had tried to help a fallen Pilgrim; a cyclist whose life ended on the Camino de Santiago route. On a picturesque day, with the sun illuminating the rolling hills, this cyclist embarked on their final journey.

    As we think of this unknown individual, we are filled with gratitude. Grateful for the love they had for cycling, grateful for the moments of connection shared with our family on the Camino, and grateful for the memories that will forever live on.

    May their spirit continue to guide and inspire all those who travel the path they once tread.
    Rest peacefully, dear cyclist. Your memory will be carried on the wind that whispers through the hills and in the laughter of families bonding on the Camino de Santiago.    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler

    Najéra to Santo Domingo de la Calzada

    Aug 20–21, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Our last walking day!

    An easy 21kms between end points today and we stopped for lunch 15kms in, making the end stretch a breeze!

    We saw the biggest crowd on the Camino to date when a group from Madrid joined in on a day trip. Most of the walking today was through fields with little variation in landscape and on my least favourite surfaces - paved road with lots of chunky gravel. Hell on the feet! That said, somehow I’ve made it through blister free… not all were so lucky.

    Our accommodation tonight is a Parador in Santo Domingo de la Calzada. A restored historic building that once served as a hospital for pilgrims on the way to Santiago - she’s a beaut! Amazing how much I took real towels and sheets, bathtubs and private bathrooms for granted prior to these last 10 days!

    Per my previous post today, feeling extra grateful and happy to be alive, living this life.

    Tomorrow: Bus to Madrid    Read more

  • Sam FirmanCamino Frances 2024Traveler

    Madrid

    Aug 21–22, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We wound things down today with a 3.5hr bus ride to Madrid (on behalf of Darryl, thank you inventor of Gravol!).

    Once here and checked in to our hotel, it was a bit of a free for all. Some swam in the pool, some grabbed lunch, some scrolled on their phone… I, went for a walk. It was a toasty 30+ degrees out but walking is so much easier without a backpack! Tried to hit up some castle ruins but they were closed off for restoration, so I went to the air conditioned mall instead!

    Tomorrow we fly out at noonish. Back to reality! Luckily, our reality is pretty good too 🥰    Read more

    Trip end
    August 23, 2024
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