Third Time's the Charm

I've decided to go back to Spain for another walk as the other two were so enjoyable. Although I vowed never to do a walk in the summer, I have my ticket and leave tomorrow. I'm not nearly as excited as the last two times and I imagine it is because I don't feel terribly well prepared and because I worry about the heat. This is the Camino del Norte, the Northern route which goes along the North coast of Spain through the Basque country, Cantabria, and Asturias. I've visited this area before and it is gorgeous: beautiful beaches, rolling green hills, and amazingly charming villages. The landscape will, undoubtedly, be magnficient. I will start in Irun (in the Basque country--just East of San Sebastian next to the French border) and will walk for three weeks. As I won't have time to make it all the way to Santiago, I figure I can walk in a pretty relaxed way. If I only feel like walking 10 miles one day, then that is what I'll do. If there are some villages that I really like and want to stay an extra day, I can do that too. I am concerned, somewhat, about the hills and, more importantly, the weather as I do not enjoy hot weather and it will be the summer in Spain. The North is generally cooler than the rest of the country and I hope that I can get most of my walking in during the morning while it is still somewhat cool. I'm heading off on my own but might meet up with Nigel (he walked a bit with us last year) and lives near Bilbao, a city that I will pass through on this walk. Sadly, for the first time, Catherine won't be on hand for this trip (unless she is concocting a madcap scheme to turn up unexpectedly). Nor will young Ina be participating. I trust I'll meet some interesting people though. I've decided that if I am not enjoying the walk, or if it is too warm, I might visit some friends for a few days and either return to the route or not. We'll see.