Getting to St Jean Port

We walked to Montparnasse Station in 20 minutes and bought our tickets for the second (local) train from Bayonne to St Jean Pied de Port. The TGV train was fast and comfortable. We had snacks but were able to buy refreshments at the bar car.  Good beer!  We arrived at Bayonne with a Two hour layover so we walked to the cathedral and Ada bought another towel as hers is drying in the shower at home!  

Surprise! There were no local trains running as the tracks were under repair. We lucked into the overflow bus which was direct. However we didn't arrive until 7:30 at night after travelling all day. (Next time I would take the TGV to Bayonne and sleep there. That would mean a short ride to St JPDP and the possibility of an 8 km walk to Orisson.). 

The Pilgrims' Office was chaos as all of the Pilgrims arrived en mass. They were very kind and worked quickly. Pat replaced her lost passport for two Euros.  The hospitalero sent us to a friendly private alberge just down the street where we shared bunks with eight others. We enjoyed our first pilgrim meal and dropped into bed.