DAY 3 : SPAIN :RONCEVALLES to ZUBIRI - 21.9 kms - 6 hours

Distance walked so far : 803.2 kms

Weather : cold then fine - 25o

A new energy has been injected into our walking. There are many new people starting their walk - from every country imaginable...all excited at the prospect of discovering Spain and the mysteries of the Camino. There are people from 15 to 75 years of age - with small packs to large packs with every technology. It's very exciting and different from walking on the French side.

Today's route from Roncevalles.
We are on the route of Santiago de Compostela.
St James, the apostle, was decapitated in Jerusalem in 44 AD and
legend has it that his body was taken by boat to the end of the
Western World, where he was buried. In 812 a hermit saw
shining lights and miraculously found the tomb of the apostle,
in which today is Santiago (St James) de Compostela (field of stars).
This is now one of the main pilgrimage routes which include Rome
and Jerusalem.

 

 

Waking up in Roncevalles.
We shared a cubicle with Aditi and Cinzia.

 

Leaving the albergue at 8 - still dark

 

 

Gorgeous autumn colours

 

4 Irish friends on their annual holiday together

 

Our destination today was Zubiri.
This bridge (14th century) was used to cure rabid dogs.
Owners would bring their animals and twist them around the
bridge 3 times in the belief they would be cured.

 

Cooling tired feet.

 

Our albergue - 10 euros - 8 beds per room

 

Mark and Bill share stories after a big day.

 

 



A trip to the Farmacia and my cold symptoms are receding fast. We had a very happy meal at one of the other auberge (hostels) last night. A pilgrim meal (salad, soup, choice of pork or cod, lemon dessert) for 12 euros including red wine. Bill, Mark and I were sitting with some very lively Irish walkers - a couple from Galway - and had a very entertaining evening.

 

9/10/12

M&M