Thoughts from my Camino Frances Journey- Day 2
Date: April 11, 2025 Friday
Where did I begin today?
SJPDP- Gite Beilari
Where will I stay this evening?
Albergue Borda
How far have I come?
9km (5.6miles) 600+m (1969ft) elevation gain.
First shell the marks the entire Camino
Misty morning leaving SJPDP
Woke up to “angel music” at 6:45am and packed. Had some lovely bread, tea, and hard-boiled egg for breakfast at 7:20. Left SJPDP at 8:30am and said a quick prayer in the church at the bottom of the hill. I walked with Cassandra (TX) and Pam (Canada, 70y.o.); the first 1-2km we had low visibility, very misty.
Pam, Cassie, and I
Above the mist
After breaking through the mist, elevation gained sharply. We met Colin (Scotland) who had started the Camino on a whim with a friend who planned to go, we had a surprising but fun chat about Elenor of Aquitaine (one of my favorite historical figures) and what a badass leader she was. The 1km to Huntto was hard, then we took a short break at a place with fruit (donation-based). I pet an orange cat, and saw some sheep.
Looking back at Huntto
The next 2km to Orisson were the hardest. We left the road and started switchbacks. Pam started feeling unwell so the three of us made slow progress for which I was honestly fine with. We made it back to a road, and soon after we reached 7kms, Pam decided to call a taxi to take her the rest of the way to Borda.
Albergue Orisson just around the corner
I continued to Orisson where Cassie joined me. I bought a cheese baguette sandwich and rosé wine for 8.50€. I arrived at around 1:35pm and sat on the deck with a stunning view. Met up with Chris (Canada) from Beilari as well, then walked the final km to Albergue Borda and arrived at 2:45pm.
Chris, Cassie, and I eating lunch at Albergue Orisson
Borda used to be a shepard’s house (dining room) and barn (dorms) but has been redone beautifully and is very functional. I used the 4min shower token the host gave me and split laundry service with Pam and Cassie. Relaxed until dinner at 7pm. Ate a lovely 3 course meal of soup, cheesy potatoes and pork, and lemon mouse for dessert. At dinner I sat with Annika from CA and Dom from Malaysia and had some engaging conversations. The host Miguel was so friendly and funny. He asked if any of us wanted a packed lunch he would make for us tomorrow and I bought one.
Albergue Borda
Old shepard house
Went to bed at 9:30pm, but you can hear really loud wind all night long since we are above the tree line; breakfast is tomorrow at 7am. Tomorrow is more uphill but once I make it over the Route de Napoleon, the most physically difficult part of the Camino will be behind me.
Nice, private bunk space
