Camino Francés

The grape farmer's story

The grape farmer's story

"Do you know the story of the Camino?" His English was stained but clear enough. Bob and I welcomed the company of the grape farmer and the conversation that followed.

A visit to the hospital

A visit to the hospital

The complex was built by the Knights Hospitallers. Even the place name was evocative. San Juan de Acre was the name given by Spanish-speaking Christians to coastal Acre, the last Crusader stronghold in the Holy Land.

He blowd his brains out his ears

He blowd his brains out his ears

The descent into Spain is rugged. The bright pastures of the sommets des pyrénées slip downslope, gradually at first, then furiously, precipitously, until they tumble into dense beech forests. Bob and I do the same. Spattered by mud, decorated with leaves, and swathed in shadow, we appreciate the epic Song of Roland.

Mountain portal

Mountain portal

A bullet-train got us most of the way there; a bus finished the job. We arrived in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

First touch

First touch

The Tower of Saint James in Paris, France, is impressive. Its architecture is pure gothic in style, with all the ribs and nubbins favored by pigeons. It rises 203 feet from the base to the noggin of Saint James who teeters on top. This tower was our first touch with the Camino de Santiago.