Up at the crack of dawn in SJPP at our very clean and well run alburgue Makila.

Lovely breakfast of baguettes, homemade bread, cereals, coffee, tea - very impressed!

Met up with Liam, Tonia and Martha and started the sit part of the walk along the Camino Francis.

Much trepidation on this route as it is steep! Started off quite gently from SJPP at 170m, LT and M giving me moral support. Lovely wild flowers along the road, dead nettles, buttercups, very pretty. L, T and M turned back at just after 3k to go back to SJPP and I carried on with the group.

The road got steeper and steeper and then turned off the road along a very steep stony, grassy track. The views were amazing! Black faced sheep, steep hills and hidden valleys. The sound of cowbells echo across the valley . We climbed up above the clouds and saw more mountain peaks above the clouds. Climbing ever upwards very very slowly . It was so good to stop and stare and enjoy, the birdsong and watch the buzzards circling.

Arrived at Orisson which at 800 m at a about 11:45 and had coffee. L, T and M and Bill arrived and joined us for lunch. Very convivial . So sad to say goodbye to them - never long enough!

Hiked another km uphill to our aubergue at Borda. It’s a new one, only been open 3 years and all rebuilt with solaire panels and showers operated by tokens so that no water is wasted. A whole new experience here again, as no luggage is allowed in the bedrooms to prevent bedbugs and no hiking shoes as usual. So you have to take everything to your dorm with you that you will need for the night.

Lorenz welcomed us with tea and lemon juice and then showed us the procedures for the shower, gave us disposable sheets for the beds and there was already a blanket on the bed, so no need for sleeping bag again. We’ve got single beds this time, each with there own privacy curtain - everything is squeaky clean and well thought out. Had a super hot strong shower and got changed into clean clothes, washing will be done by Lorenz and dried ready for tomorrow!

I’m liking this!