Starting the walk from Irun

so, we decided to take the night train from Portugal to the French border @ Hendaye and start the walk from Irun - which is just across the border in Spain.

The compartment (sleeper) was just like trains I was used to used to in India, only a LOT smaller, six bunks to a 10 x 12 area . When we got on the lower two (which were alloted to us) were already occupied by an older couple who looked like they'd have trouble clambering up into the upper ones, so we let them be and took the middle ones. Lights off seem to be at 7:00 PM and spent the rest of the night listening to music and / or texting some friends.
Turns out Coban was doinbg all right and eating well.

finally crashed at 2:00 and was woken up at 6:00 AM by the conductor who slid our tickets under the door and said the station was coming up.

Got off at Irun and tried to find the first Albergue (pilgrimage hostel) to get our credentials and stamps to start the journey - too bad, it was closed for winter - the first of many on the route that would be. Turns out the weather is so harsh and bad until April or so that noone walks at this time. Oh well....

Tom was the first to spot the first of a million yellow arrows that lead the way to Santiago - quite incredible really, a host of volunteers donate their time on weekends and holidays painting these yellow arrows all over the country to mark the route, sort of like a 'where in the world in Carmen Santiago' game :)

Anyway, introduced Tom to his first chocolat y Churros breakfast (syrupy hot choc with donuts to dip in it)

then we started the walk