Bayonne to Saint Jean Pied de Port, September 21, 2022

 I had a great sleep even though there were 10 of us in the room. They were probably wishing I hadn’t arrived because I coughed a bit and then dropped my iPad noisily on the floor. I slept until about 9 which was awesome and then I had breakfast –

Croissant, a slice of brioche and part of a baguette! And usually I don’t eat much bread, ever!  Oh,oh!

After breakfast I crossed the Adour river -

to explore the old city of Bayonne.  It is beautiful and it was a lovely day.  The streets are narrow-

There were 650 homes with wood trim like this in the 1700s.  Few remain today-

A specialty of the region is the Basque cake.  This one is citrus flavoured and very expensive-

Another Basque specialty-

Nico loves castles-

Hayes tractors-

And Andi unicorns-

The Bayonne cathedral was started in 1213 and has two magnificent spires that are more than 80 m high–

The stained glass windows in the nave and choir are lovely-

In the chapel of Saint Jerome, which dates from 1531, the windows show Jesus exorcising a SyroPhoenician woman‘s daughter –

I found an Orange store and was able to get a Sim card and data. Saskatchewan may have high mobile phone prices but 30 days cost me $55 but that also included a 10 euro Sim card. At least I’m set now for the next month.

I caught the train to Saint Jean Pied de Port. Along the way –

SJPP is a medieval town in a walled city-

I visited the cathedral and lit a candle to start this spiritual journey-

Interesting grocery store items-

A local beer-

I will have my larger backpack sent from here to Santiago so I made those arrangements. We had a communal supper at the hostel and I met people from Israel, Germany, Sweden, the US, Korea and Japan. The owner of this hostel, Andrew, is from Australia and he bought the building five years ago and remodelled it. He says it’s a great place to live and it is truly a beautiful town.  He also told us this is the busiest time on the Camino and people are having a hard time finding accommodation.  Hmmmm…

Where I’m headed tomorrow-

I’m feeling better today about this big walk.  I am well rested  and looking forward to the morning. I think it’s going to be OK!

Paris to Biarritz/Bayonne, France

September 20, 2022

My flight from Calgary to Paris was 8 1/2 hours long with an eight hour time change. I arrived at CDG (Charles de Gaulle) about 12:30 PM. I had a good seat on the plane and slept a lot; in fact the only time I was awake was when I was woke up to eat.  

North Battleford made the cut –

I don’t know the name of the plane I was on but the windows darkened automatically.  Even at 10:30 this morning it was still “dark” out and then all of a sudden it was daylight!  There were no shutters, it just happened automatically. The food was pretty good and I sat beside a couple from Paris who spent the last month touring Alberta, British Columbia and some American states.

The CDG Airport is very comfortable. I have spent the afternoon on a very wide and soft couch. I slept a lot so I’m hoping I won’t feel much jet lag.  We board in about an hour.

September 19, 2022 Saskatoon to Paris!

Well the time has finally come! I am sitting in the Saskatoon airport waiting to board the first leg of my flight which will just be to Calgary. From there I will catch a flight to Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Paris and then later tomorrow evening I will fly to Bayonne/Biarritz France where I will spend the night and then explore a little bit in the morning provided I am not exhausted. Travelling east knocks the shit out of me so hopefully I will be able to sleep lots on the plane and be well rested when I finally get to France.

Jane and my wonderful grandchildren brought me in to Saskatoon. 

 We visited with my mom and dad

and then they dropped me off at the airport.

I am not sure about this trip.  Although my memory isn’t that good, I’m usually feeling pretty excited when I finally get checked in, through security and to the gate but so far I’m really not feeling it. I have had two excellent years at home – spending lots of time with Jane and her family, seeing my parents often and keeping busy working. But, I decided when I was turning 60 this past November that life was too short to sit around and not travel. However as I’m getting older, it is getting harder too.  The things I’m doing and the places I’m going are all things I have wanted to do for a while and so it is time.

I know the next seven months will fly by and I will be home before I blink but at the same time I know I will be missing a lot being away from the people I love.

Because I am walking the Camino Frances, I have a slightly larger day backpack than I am used to. 

It weighs 15 pounds and that is all I will have with me for the next 37 or so days. All guide books say it should only weigh 10% of your body weight so I am OK weight wise.  It’s a well fitting backpack so it should be OK but it’s hard to see over it when I’m carrying it in front and I will be carrying my larger backpack on my back at some point.  I hope it won’t be heavy and cumbersome.  I may have to find a Sherpa to accompany me on this trip! Or maybe I am too old for all of this!

Merry Christmas 2020!

Seems like as good a time as any to ramble on for awhile.  2020 is coming to an end so it’s time to recap.  My summer was great - golfing, golfing and more golfing.  For over 20 years I’ve played regularly with the same women and every year we’ve taken a photo.  This year’s is a bit different-

I

I also worked a bit at Sask Hospital and the end of August I bought a cabin on Maymont Beach which is on Murray Lake.  It’s the most heavenly spot!  I’ve been looking for a place for a few years.  Living in a condo, I don’t have a yard to look after - my garden box on my deck doesn’t keep me busy, nor does the small garden plot I’ve enjoyed for the past four or so years.  I would follow the real estate ads, drive along beaches looking for ‘for sale’ signs and even stop and poke around the odd place but nothing ever felt perfect until this year.  I needed a pretty special place - one on pavement all the way to town so I could ride my motorcycle, a place on a nice beach - not a hill hanger and preferably sand, a cabin cabin - not a house that I have to worry about in the winter - wondering if the heat is still on or if the pipes are frozen, not a fancy place - I want to do some renovations and make it my own and nothing too big or too terribly expensive!  Ha!  Well, while visiting friends/family at Cochin one morning, I learned of this place being for sale.  Jane and I went immediately to have a look and wow!  Walking down the path to the cabin -

everything just felt right.  The next day I put in an offer and a week later, it was mine!  I took possession August 20 and spent 20 nights there before closing it up for the winter.  I have a long list of renos that will be happening this spring - changing windows and a door, new siding, fascia, soffits and eaves, raising the kitchen corner that is sinking into the sand, replacing the shower with one that allows me to bend over to pick up the soap!, new flooring and paint.  Lionel and I have bought a pontoon boat together so a lift and dock are also required.  The front wooden railing will also be exchanged for glass.  I hope to get everything done this year so from now on I can just sit back and enjoy!  I hope to move there as soon as the water is turned on in May and stay until fall-

There is a wood burning fireplace, something I will never use, so I removed the grate, screen and doors, painted it and filled it with an electric heat throwing fire that will keep me warm on the cooler nights.  And my couch - a two tone - lime green and cream.  Where on earth would one even find such a thing?

The second bedroom is quite large-

 I’m going to get rid of the table and chairs

as most meals will be eaten outside.

The shower is too small-

The kitchen is small but adequate-

My bedroom-

New siding was under the deck.  The previous owners had hired someone to put it on but once he started, he decided he needed more money so they told him to hit the road.  I washed it all and wrapped it well in a tarp so it’s ready to go this spring-

Lots of work needs to be done but I am looking very forward to this coming summer as are Jane and family-

Mom and Dad even came for a visit-

Since golf ended mid October, I’ve been subbing a lot.  It’s something to do and I really enjoy the little kids.  I’ve been to four different schools and each one runs differently because of COVID.  Some schools have normal physed classes in the gym, others are only outside unless it’s -27 or colder.  Some gather outside with their cohorts until the bell rings to start classes, others come in and go directly to their class room.  Some have specific times when students can use the bathrooms while others are allowed to go when they like.  One school division wants subs to not only wear a mask but also a visor!  If you think it’s hard wearing  a mask, throw on a visor and see what that’s like!  

I decided that if I was spending the winter at home, I would work as much as possible.  It gives me something to do and the pay is pretty awesome!

Of course, the main reason I stayed home was because of the angels.  Nico is 4.5, Andi 2.5 and Hayes 8 months-

Andi refused to go anywhere near Santa so this year it’s just the boys-

I spend a few nights a month at Jane’s and they come to town once a week so I see them lots.  They sure are growing up fast!

Saskatchewan, May 3, 2020

Well, life continues, not my life but someone else's sort of life.  It is all still bullshit and we continue to jump through hoops.  Tomorrow, Saskatchewan starts reopening with dentistry, optometry, physical therapy and chiropractors but not massage therapists.  Weird.  My optometrist gets close enough to kiss me when he has his tool, no, not tool, his piece of equipment... no not that either, whatever that thing is called when he has to look deep into my eyes.  My massage therapist touches me but from arms length away but she can’t open yet.  With the second re-opening phase on May 19, clothing stores can open but originally a customer couldn’t try anything on - I thought this was Covid, not ebola... nor could we return or exchange.  Why even go to a clothing store?  May 15, just in time for the weekend, golf courses can open but initially couldn’t rent clubs or pull carts - the simplest things ever to clean.  Someone woke up because now we can try on clothes and pull carts will be available.  I get that it’s new to everyone and the government is petrified about doing the wrong thing but....opening campgrounds but only every second spot?  Aren’t they already at least 6 feet apart?  Or keeping beaches and playgrounds closed?  Why go camping?  Oh well, at least we can get together in “virtual households” and that means deciding who you are going to “ pick” and sticking with them.  They can come over but personal distancing is still required.  Our world is so messed I’ve seen articles helping people through the possible rejection phase if you aren’t picked by your friends.  Holy fuck people are messed!

As for me, I just carry on.  I was out to Jane’s for 6 nights because HAYES EDDIE WALL was born on Earth Day April 22.  He weighed 9 pounds 9 ounces and is 21 inches long.  Jane and he are doing fine-

Much to my surprise, Nico and Andi absolutely adore him and want to hold him and kiss him all the time-

I don’t know what’s up with Andi.  She never likes to look at the camera.  Maybe she thinks she’ll lose her spirit - she sure has a lively one!  

I also happened to be in the right place at the right time to watch the North Saskatchewan River break up.  In the morning it was plugged with huge chunks of ice and unfortunately there were a few moose fighting through the ice blocks and swimming in the cold cold river.  Apparently the ice was jammed further east at the Paynton ferry-

After supper we looked again and there was a cow moose and two calves as well as another adult standing in the water.  They are hard to see-

Then almost magically, the river started to clear -

By this time the moose had laid down in that cold, icy water.  They were gone in the morning and Mitch is 99.9% sure they died.  Such a hard life.  

Hayes continues to be the main attraction-

Nico and I made cinnamon buns-

We walked on the ice that had been forced onto the shore.  It’s vertically frozen and breaks apart in sharp blade like pieces-

We picked crocuses-

And went to a wiener roast birthday party and lit the Christmas tree on fire-

April 30 was nine years since Nico died-

so keeping with Covid rules, only a few of us could gather at the cemetery.  We had pizza and carrot cake-

The kids had a ball running wild through the tombstones and luckily it was a warm evening-

It’s hard to believe it’s been 9 years.  I remember when he first died, knowing that time would pass but not knowing what life would be like.  In a blink of an eye it will be 19 years then 29 then I’ll probably be planted beside him.  

Jane and the kids spent the night, I guess they’re my bubble family.  We decorated cookies when Jane went for groceries.  Andi just licked the icing off-

Hayes continues to be an awesome baby - he rarely makes a sound and sleeps well during the night-

I’m in Saskatoon for a few days visiting my parents and then will go home and wait.  Wait for warm weather and wait to catch the virus and get this over with.