GETTING READY
sitting in my office upstairs and trying to figure out what’s missing and where everything will go.

Well, my old legs are about as ready as they can be, Leonard is clean and ready to be stuffed full of sweaty and dirty hiking gear from about day 3 onwards, I got a bunch of Euros from the bank, brought a new water bladder to go in my backpack and took a tour of the cosmetics section at the local market in search of tiny containers of toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen, and a comb. A comb is important, I may be stinky and sweaty for over a month, but one has to at least look good, and even that will be debatable.

Last time I walked I carried a possession and memory of a friend who left us way to early.
Since I last walked this Way, I have lost too many friends, but two are of particular pain. Recently we lost Dianne, ( Brrrrr)a friend who smiled and moved forward with grace and humor, no matter what this life threw at her, and it threw at her, challenges far greater than I think I could have carried. Maybe one of the strongest, kindest people I, and many of you friends reading this may  have known.
Then there was Caroline ( wenchie), my best friend and confidant, a love and a soul mate, someone I miss and think of daily, gone too soon ,
On this trip we climb onto the plateau of Monte Irago, to the Cruz de Ferro, a 100ft tall wood/iron cross, the most spiritual of places on this trip. Here, for years pilgrims have layed stones they have brought from home, which represents the loss of a loved one, to rid themselves of a personal burden, or to simply say goodbye. I will carry a stone for these two special people, and for myself as most do, and honor them in the way I hope they would like. Cruz de Ferro is about day 20, I hope they enjoy the walk with us, I know they would if they were here.  To paraphrase words from a great old blues song,,,,,,,,,,
HEAVEN DONE CALLED ,ANOTHER SWEET ANGEL BACK HOME.

On to Biarritz to meet Kaz, then a train to Sr Jean where we catch up with Bill before an early start on the 15th up and over the Pyrenees, 4500 ft climb with a 3000 ft descent on the other side, sounds like hell but I can’t wait