The first day St. Jean France to Roncesvalles, Spain

Wow, what a start. I have been thinking about this day since the first time a read about it. Every blog, book or guide you can find will tell you that this first stage is the most difficult and therefore it is the one stage I have had serious doubts about. At one time I considered starting in Pamplona to avoid this stage. it would just mean walking 450 miles not 500. That would still be a real challenge. Right?

Every time I thought about it I came away with one concern. If I skipped the most difficult stage would I have doubts about the journey and always wonder .... Could I have done it? There was no choice, I had to start in St. Jean.

Fast forward to my arrival day and the weather forecast is dreadful and the mountain route has been altered and at the Camino office I am told that last week a man from Brazil died on the mountain when he fell to his death while trying to go over the mountain in bad conditions. So here I am today at 5:15 in the morning, I open the window and it is raining cats and dogs with a temperature of about 47 degrees. I go on the internet and the forecast is for the rain to fall all day with some fog and a high temperature of 57. Wow, what to do.

 I begin packing for the rain and get all of my rain gear out including a wool cap, gloves and my thermal  survival blanket ready to go. Well at 5:40 my cell phone gives off that sound that a message has arrived. I check and its from a very close friend of Robin's, Debbie, and it says "I am praying for no rain tomorrow. You go Jim".  I respond "it's raining cats and dogs pray harder". Of course I am joking. 

I am now packed and dressed for the worst. I leave the Hotel, it is 6:30 and as I step out of the building the rain stops. I walk across the street to a little cafe for coffee and a pastry and I just wait for the rain to return but it does not. I leave and walk to the Camino starting point and as I take my first step the sun comes out! Amazing just amazing. I walk The Camino for seven hours in sunshine . I stop after the first hour to take off all of my extra weather gear and clothing because I am sweating like it is summer. 

The weather is perfect for my entire walk and as I approach my destination, the village of Roncesvalles it starts to rain lightly, just as a reminder of just how blessed I am.

Thank you Debbie and thanks to so many others who wished me well and sent messages praying that I would have great weather and a great journey. I made it! Thank you Debbie and to all of the many who have wished me well.

Time to get a glass of wine and something to eat. More later.