Camino Wander #3: Day 2

The knees are jelly and I’m exhausted. But I’ve made it to Roncesvalles. Trust me, at this point, that’s a major accomplishment.

It was a hard day for me. I sent my backpack forward again and I’m relieved I did. I don’t think I could have done it with the extra weight. Not that it is all that heavy, but I’m glad I had just a day pack with the essentials - wet weather gear, medication, extra water, etc.. and I used it all.

I walked once again with Sam from Queensland. She was a great partner to walk with. She was so patient as I tend to walk very slow, especially up hills. And there were a lot of them today. But she’s also staying three kilometres on, so we had a deal that if she wanted to push ahead, she just needed to say so, which she did at the intersection where you have to decide whether to go straight down, or take the road. We both took the road but I daresay she was just making sure I was okay before pushing head. It made sense - and I would have done the same.

The day was pretty eventful. When we started out just after 8 am, it was very cold. I had four layers on, but my pants are thin, I suspect I will have a wind/cold rash. Why don’t I know yet? Because I am still waiting to check in to my albergue and it’s already after 5pm - I arrived at 4pm. (The system is slow…) I am so ready to have my shoes off, shower and try and get my clothes washed. I may be walking in yoga pants today.

But let me get back to the events of the day. We dealt with fog, sleet, a little snow and a little rain. The fog came and went. Wild horses with bells around their necks could be heard in the fog, and we so happy to see them when the fog cleared. But it was a hard slog up the mountain pass. Most of it was the same as I’d seen before. The food truck was a nice surprise with amazing sheep cheese. (I wish I could bring it home.) He was right before the French/Spanish border.

I’ve met some amazing people from all over - Holland, The Netherlands,

Okay lights are about to go off. Will post more tomorrow - short day! Yay!

Photos are random due to lack of time.

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