Three legs of air travel ended tonight with arrival at the small airport in Biarritz, FR. Well over 5000 miles are behind me, making the coming 500 on the Camino de Santiago seem reasonable. But can’t celebrate just yet. I’ve got a train to catch first thing in the morning.

I had hopes that when I arrived tonight in Biarritz/Bayonne I would be able to find transportation to St. Jean Pied de Port, but it was just too late and these are relatively small towns. Interesting, because I had anticipated there would be other trekkers arriving on the flight I came in on, from London, and together we’d figure out the logistics of getting to SJPP. A couple of women at the airport helped me get a hotel room, not so nice, not that cheap, but all the other hotels in the immediate area were full. They also checked the train schedule for tomorrow and provided a map for getting to the train station. Previously, I had found it impossible to get info on the trains in this part of France, especially anything going to SJPP. Chat groups were almost universal in saying the service is, at best, unreliable and, at worst, out of service. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.

First train leaves in the morning at 7:42 and arrives in SJPP at 8:40. If I indeed get to SJPP at the advertised time, I will visit the Pilgrim office, get my Pilgrim Passport, pick up some food to munch on, and head on out, hoping to get leg one, through the pass, behind me. Haven’t checked the forecast today, but a day or so ago rain was forecast both Thursday and Friday, with Friday being a greater chance. I would rather take my chances with 40% than 70.

I have to say it’s great to be out of the big cities after a barrage of San Antonio, Austin, DFW and London in succession. Surprisingly, the countryside I saw around London was rolling and green; but I was in airplanes and airports for almost 24 hours straight. I’m ready to get my boots on the ground. Also ready to get some sleep, but not before seeing if I can import a couple of cell phone pictures from the flight over France. It seemed so tranquil.