This was my 4th time to walk the Camino Frances, and my 2nd time to walk over the Pyrenees. Like last year, I booked all of my nights so that I could choose the best albergues as well as ones that had communal meals. A German friend came with me. She had walked the CF about 13 years ago. Some of the nights I booked were ins small pensions where we would have twin beds and private bath for a similar price to what a bed cost in an albergue. The communal meals were often very special and usually outstanding.
We took the train from Frankfurt to Bayonne, with changes in Paris and Bordeaux, then a friend from high school picked us up and drove us to Saint Jean Pied di Port. Checked into a lovely albergue that had single beds. The next day dawned with sprinkles awaiting us, and they followed us for the next 8km, stopping now and then for the sun to peek out. Got some great photos. By the time we got to Orisson, the fog was so thick you could only see about 20-30m. ahead. So much for the scenery of the Pyrennees. We had reservations at Borda which is a new albergue a bit past Orisson and had a lovely evening in single beds, womens' dorm with our our WC and shower. Great food, and the fog lifted so we got beautiful sunset photos. Sunrise was gorgeous and we finished our walk over the Pyrennees. These first 2 days are often walked in 1 day by a lot of people, but it would be too much for me.
Most of the 46 days were between 12-20km with mostly around 15-18 and a couple that were 22km.
I won't tell you about every place we stayed as that would be a bit much. That information is on a YouTube channel, called Camino for Everyone, which I made to help women, especially those of us who are seniors, plan their Caminos.
Most of the places I was quite happy with, but there were a few I probably would not stay in again. Uncomfortable mattresses, too few or too small shower facilities or simply in a town that I would skip to try staying in a different town. I would probably pick a few more private rooms too. It does kind of wear you down staying in the dorms after too many nights in a row, though you kind of get used to it after while.
There were a few sections that I had missed on previous Caminos, that I got to walk this time. Walking up to O'Cebrio (I rode a horse to this last year) and walking up to Cruz di Ferro. Both are quite high and I believe higher than the Pyrenees. It was strenuous, but the walk down was worse. Sort of like steep ravines filled with rocks, boulders and gravel. Whacked my head one day, on a tree hanging over the path.
Fortunately, I had gone to a fitness center for the 3 months prior and felt like I was in really good shape. No leg, feet, back or arm problems. No blisters either. Did get a cold and what may have been salmonella as was really sick for a few days. Because I had booked my rooms, this meant moving on by bus or taxi to the next town. This is the one drawback about booking ahead. Most of my places were reserved by email, but had about 9 nights done with booking dot com. There are some places that only use booking dot com, as they cannot be bothered with the man languages, and too many people have reserved a bed and then don't show up. Rather rude, so they have switched to the booking companies. I fully understand this.
2 places had pools but only went swimming in one of them. This was before my last day walking.
My pack weighed about 6.3kg, plus what ever amount of water I took with me. The weather was cool almost all the way so never felt the need to fill both my bottles starting out. (I use metal bottles as this keeps the water cool and better tasting) I was happy with everything I took with me. I did use a bag transfer service for a small bag I brought with me, to hold 2-3kg of stuff. Being 67, means I do not have to carry everything, every day, which I have done on earlier Caminos.