Irun and Hendaye

 Day 0 “Rest day” in Irun 20kms

So today was our first full day in Spain. Our plan for the day was to go get our credentials for our pilgrimage, have a little “warm up” walk, and explore the town of Irun. 

We headed into town. I was surprised to see people at like 10am in cafes having beer! Spain hey. We weren’t sure where we could get the credential booklet, so we asked at the tourist office and were told we could get it at the Town Hall. We headed off there and there was a wedding taking place outside! We went inside and it wasn’t really very clear where we should go - a tiny little counter off to the side of a major staircase - and the young bloke there gave us our credentials for free.

After this we explored a little more and ended up wandering past a little market, mostly clothes, where I ended up buying some coolmax socks for €5! They were pretty good too, as it turned out.

We then decided we would have a look at the start of the Camino, which technically starts halfway across the bridge over the river Bidasoa - the border between France and Spain. Then on a whim we decided to walk across it and go to France for lunch. It was funny literally the second we got to the French border, my esim for Spain stopped working, and I had no connection at all! 

It was just surreal to have wandered into another country, seeing all the signs in French (and having a better chance of understanding them!). Russell also enjoyed the opportunity for some birding along the river. We ended up at the beach in Hendaye, enjoying a panini and cafe au lait whilst looking out at the Bay of Figuier. Beautiful. Sitting next to us was a French couple who clearly were doing the Camino - they were dressed in trekking clothes and had backpacks and poles. I wonder how far they’d already come, their boots looked quite worn already…

Our little “warm up” walk before we knew it, turned in to 20kms!! Not a bad hit out to start.

We then made our way back to Spain, trying to avoid being taken out by cars on the various roundabouts and roads on our way back to the Ibis Irun. Had dinner at the Ibis because it was just easier, so we could enjoy a relax before tomorrow’s walk.

I’m attempting a little travel vlog for as long as I can, so here it is… https://youtu.be/2_-gC048H20