Day 2 walking. Roncesvalles. Woohoo. 23 April

Amazing feeling to be here, and realise that we have climbed the mountain.

Well, to be realistic, we took 2 days to complete what is regarded as the first stage of the camino. But we are here. We walked it all. It is regarded as the most difficult part of the camino, so we can do anything after this. We hope.

What an amazing day. Walked most of the early part in cloud. Dressed for cold - buff (neck scarf), beanie, merino thermal long johns, and jacket. Not far up the track, and I mean UP, I started to overheat, so ditched the buff, swapped the warm jacket for a walking light weight jacket. So glad I packed the beanie... My ears would have suffered.

Still further UP, swapped back to warm jacket, added the buff, and Lex was wishing he had packed gloves. Soooooo cold. Wind was whipping past, the area was highlighted as a danger zone - same area as the fatality in the movie. Low cloud, and poor visibility.

We noticed a car on the road not far back, and heard later that one of our new friends was being picked up and transported back to town, disoriented.

Onward and upward, into the snowy side of the mountain, where strangely, it was warmer. We had heard that there was significant snow on the track. And there was.

Once over the high mountain pass, the weather cleared, the sun came out. Spectacular.

Notes to self

• 18km.  Orisson to Roncesvalles.  Well done. You did it, without too much pain. We are tired. A few aches. I do better on uphill and Lex does better on downhill
• Roncesvalles Albergue Beds 10 EUR each
• Walking poles are worth the weight for downhill.
• Be prepared for on again, off again wardrobe changes.
• Roncesvalles. Albergue is an experience. Place is very well set out. Looks new, well newly renovated in a very old building. But it is not very personal. 
• Showers are good. Yes, I took a shower, and managed it. Everyone walks around in undies. 
• Shoes need to go in a Shoe Room, downstairs, away from sleeping quarters.
• Top bunk is very high! I'm not looking forward to that. Remember to ask for lower bunks. Can hear kids saying. Suck it up princess. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I'm hoping.
• Drink enough wine, you can use wifi at the bar all afternoon
• Peregrino dinner. 9 EUR each
• Pint of beer and a red wine 5.30 EUR. not bad.

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