April 15 - Day 2

Day 2 - Orisson to Roncesvalles - 18 km

Breakfast at Orisson was not as spectacular as dinner. But we filled our tummies with some bread and went on our way. We also got a sandwich to go. And the sunrise WAS spectacular!

Not so many sheep this stage, a few vultures, but lots of horses. We had an up close and personal encounter with one shaggy horse. He came up to us, probably looking for food. All he got was a bit of petting.

More climbing! Some steep, some not so steep. But always climbing. We got as high as the altitude at Banff. And there was snow. Lots. Charmaine made a snowman. Should have had a snowball fight!

After a long uphill stretch we started our descent. The last bit into Roncesvalles was beautiful, a little path in the forest beside a babbling brook. When we arrived at the monastery we checked in to our albergue. Renovated a few years ago, it is very modern. 4-bed cubbies in big halls. The best part is a service where they will wash and dry a basket of laundry for 3.50 Euro.

We found a bar for some wine, then a bit of visiting before the pilgrim mass. This is a big deal in Roncesvalles, mass with a pilgrim blessing, then dinner. Two seatings for dinner, good meal, of course lots of wine.

We haven’t decided how far to go tomorrow, depends on how we feel plus weather. Stay tuned.

Today’s lesson: keep putting one foot in front of the other. Also, take a deep breath and enjoy the scenery.

Sandwich for the road 5 Euro

Wine and chocolate bar 5 E

Laundry 3.50 E

Albergue 10 E

Dinner 12 E