There just aren´t enough superlatives to do justice to the 27km, 1200m climb over the Pyrenees into Spain.
From the rapid heart-bursting 12 km ascent to 1000m giving views back over the mountains to the flatness of Le Landes, to the dehydrated joy at the ice cold waters of Fountaine de Roland by the Spanish border, from the soaring eagles and Pyrenean vultures (circling me for some reason), to the jaw-dropping 360° panorama at the Col Lepoeder with views down onto the Abbey of Roncevalles and the Spanish plains below, it was undoubtedly the highlight of the pilgrimage so far.
The Camino proper in Spain has also been a revelation. Beautiful river valley walks interspersed by historic refuges with 100 people cheek by jowl in bunk beds. Having left our tents in France we are now down to about 10kg on the back packs (from a starting weight of over 15kg) and the walking has become a real pleasure. We rise at 6am and have normally cover the days 25km by lunch, leaving us free to read and chat to fellow pilgrims in the afternoon. Blisters, back and joint pains are a thing of the past (touch wood) and if the next 700km are anything like the last 100km then the next four weeks of walking will be outstanding.
We are currently taking a day off to explore Pamplona and head off tomorrow morning towards Puente la Reina.
Love to all.
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