Finding a New Line

April 23, 2024 – Marciac – Lacrabere – 26 kms – Gite Castaine

April 24, 2024 – Lacrabere – Morlaas – 29 kms – Hotel Bourgneuf

April 25, 2024 – Morlaas – Aubertin – 29 kms – Maison de Fleurie 

After much hand wringing and back and forth with the pros and cons we have decided to leave the Voie d’Arles just before Orloron-Saint-Marie and head towards the coast. The weather is a little warmer now, but with that comes moisture and winds in the mountains. It’s been snowing on the Napoleon route and they had to evacuate a few people suffering from hypothermia last week. 

The decision was made for me  when I read last night about the additional dangers of cycling the very busy and narrow road on both sides of the Somport pass.  To be safe I would have to take a bus all the way down to Jaca – missing three days of cycling.

It’s always hard to leave a particular Camino route. Other than the recent cold weather, we have loved the Arles. The towns and countryside are beautiful and we found the welcome for pilgrims genuinely caring and warm. It’s a tougher trail for walking than many routes and Gord has had some of his first blisters. With the cold weather he is also recognizing the utility of these “fabric leg coverings people call pants”. 

Today we will spend a night on the Le Puy route at Navarrenx and from there connect the dots between accommodation until we reach the Atlantic coast in four or five days.  We have not had a day off in a month and I’m ready for one soon.