When we arrived in Bedous yesterday afternoon we expected that we'd be making the long climb up to the Col du Somport today. We hadn't seen any snow yesterday as we'd walked towards The Pyrenees, so we thought all would be fine, though we'd had a few people tell us that sections of the path were impassable.
So we visited the information office in Bedous. They gave us a map and marked two long sections - one half way up, and the other at the top - where the path was not usable due to danger of falling rocks in the lower section and melting snow further up. The options were to walk on the national road - which they advised against as being too dangerous - or take a bus part of the way. Our hosts last night told us the same thing.
The French and I discussed it over dinner and decided we didn't want to walk on the road - it's no fun. So this morning we set out at 7.30, walked for an hour to the next village, where we took a bus to Canfranc Estacion, just on the Spanish side of the Col du Somport. From there we walked the 24 kms down to Jaca. We've since met some pilgrims who made the walk yesterday and said the roads were no problem at all!! Oh well. We now have another extra day up our sleeve which we'll be sure to put to good use.
Speaking of other pilgrims. We have seen more pilgrims today - four on the path, and seven more in the albergue - than in the previous 28 days on the Chemin d'Arles. And four of them are Australian! Extraordinary. That's still only a small number, compared to some other Caminos, but it's a bit of a shock to us after the past four weeks. The Australians have invited Domi and I to join them for dinner shortly.
Ok, back from dinner - just made it in the door before lockout at 10. Had an enjoyable dinner with Peter from Melbourne and Jill and Sarah from Katoomba. Fabulous four courses for 13.75 euros, vino included. Just as we were leaving, the locals were arriving.
The French and I are looking forward to our second day in Spain tomorrow. I wonder if the sun will shine again.
Hasta luego
J X
