Across the Pyrenees on red wine and ibuprofen

w3w ///relatives.fondly.fogged

Rest day today so we took a 3k trip to Roncesvalles which is one of the first stages of the French Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Also the site of many battles over the centuries due to it being a natural pass across the Pyrenees. The bodies of the soldiers killed in battle were collected and placed in the Silo, it is thought they may date back to the 8th/9th century.

w3w ///curves.exposing.bearlike

First planned Rest day – late start, leisurely breakfast and a day trip out – almost like a normal holiday 😉

Went to the monastery here which is one of the key starting points for the Comino de Santiago, (another v long walk through Spain – with a lot more churches and a lot less mountains than the GR11..)

Lots of walkers (and pilgrims?), around and we’re back on the trail tomorrow.

w3w ///scrambles.occur.limbless

A much better temperature today – and with a welcome cool breeze at times, so happy days 😎… Two biggish climbs with a steep descent through the forest in between. Finished off with a trek into the sleepy village of Burguete, crossing over with the girls who walked the other way to check out the views from the top.

W3W ///glazed.flirted.horsehair

Into the mist this morning which was ok as it kept us out of the sun until later. Scenery best yet as we walked along the border fence and saw, (we think), our first vultures – and they weren’t following us either… Girls met us for the last section.

We’re staying nearby in Eugi tonight and starting again from the same spot tomorrow.

Elizondo to Puerto de Urkiaga. Overall ascent was 1000m

First day at 1000m along the French Spanish border. Had to walk through the clouds/mist which was really humid but on the top the breeze was lovely despite the temperature.

W3W ///everything.winning.momentous

A tactical rest day today – basically it’s too hot to walk. Forecast is for a little cooler tomorrow which it needs to as we have a big 1000m climb coming up so 🤞

We’ve also had a good recce so we all should know where we’re going tomorrow !

w3w /// orders.unacceptable.sunflowers

All was going well this morning until we confidently followed the GR11 signs which somehow took us down into the wrong village ?! Scooped up by the girls, who had themselves been enjoying the dubious minor mountain roads in the hire car (!)

and we are now in the middle of a Basque festival in Elizondo. It’s 41C outside – like walking around in an oven…

Early start again and very hot. Landed in Elizondo and stumbled on a festival with the biggest barbecue ever!!