CAMINO LATEST:

Mark & John have now returned from Spain and brought these photos of their  arduous pilgrimage.

The Bridge at St Jean is the official start of the Camino Frances. We had only just had the bikes delivered to us that morning, so we were anxious to get going! I had a cooling dip in the river the previous evening.

Crossing the Pyrenees, the col in the top of the pass and the highest point of the day. We could look forward to a much quicker descent - carefully! - down to Roncesvalles on the Spanish side.

The first big city on the Camino, Pamplona has the famous 'Running of the Bulls' through its streets, in July. Fortunately only the bronze ones were there on our visit.

'Iron Pilgrims' is a well-known landmark which we wanted to visit, although it meant using the rougher walking track instead of the road. Afterwards we had a very very warm descent towards Estella.

On the road to the small town of Carrion de los Condes, in the flat-ish 'meseta' or North Spanish plain, we passed one of many fountains for thirsty pilgrims.

The 'Cross of Iron' is at the top of a tall pole (so not visible in the photo), and marks the very highest point on the whole Camino. Traditionally passing pilgrims leave a small memento adding to the mound around the cross.

The village of Portomarin was rebuilt higher up before a reservoir filled the valley, and is now entered by a viaduct. The water was low at the time.

Journey's end for most pilgrims is the Cathedral square in Santiago. By now we had returned our hired bikes and were free to collect our pilgrim 'Credentials' and have a celebratory dinner, having set off on the final leg too early for breakfast that morning.

Great to have you back safe and well Mark & John after cycling up hills in close to 40.C   Once again very well done - a great effort!

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