Ronscevelles to Zubiri

Greetings from sunny Spain!  No rain today!  That is good news for a hiker.  Today was 15.9 miles and 36,674 steps.

This sign is sorta famous.  That 790 is kilometers but after such an arduous day as yesterday, most pilgrims groan at this sign.  I think the Spanish must have an evil sense of humor.  Always makes me smile.

This was my humble hostel last night.  

Unfortunately, the Church of Santiago was closed. I peeped in the tiny windows in the door and could see a statue of St James. I would have loved an invitation inside but it wasn't to be.

The sign by this cross said, " The Sorginaritzaga forest, whose meaning is 'oakwood of witches' was where some of the most well-known witches covens of the XVI century were held which led to a much-talked-about repression which end up taking nine people from the region at the stake.  The White Cross, a symbol of divine protection on the road which was the main route between Roncesvalles and Burguete until 1880 is also sited in this enclave."  You can actually take a witch craft tour of this area.  Shades of Salem!  It appears that most of the witch craft trials were in this area of Spain.  

One of many gates that I opened and closed today.

Today's hike was certainly easier than yesterday.  It was again cold and windy but fabulous as long as you kept moving.  On the map, it appeared mostly downhill but it wasn't.  We crossed one medium mountain and another small mountain and many Kentucky sized hills.  

There is snow on top of the mountains.  I guess this is proof that Route Napoleon was impassable.

I can't imagine this SOS o the side of the mountain.  It was huge.  I am thinking that if I was capable of carving out this SOS, I probably wouldn't need much help.  I tried googling it but got no answer.

The mountains in the background were beautiful.  I sat here for a short break and a very nice Italian man named Marco immediately offered me some of his almonds.  I love the camaraderie of the Camino.  He is on his fifth Camino.  It is a lot easier to hike these trails if you only have to come from Italy.  I think of all the accents, I like the sing-song accent of the Italians speaking English.  Hmmmm...guess it comes from my Mafia days. :)

There were stepping stones across this fast moving water.  Nobody fell in that I saw but it was a little more challenging than it looks...stepping from stone to stone.

My hotel is kind of a truck stop but when I saw that my room had a bath tub, I was a happy camper.  I took full advantage of it.  Heaven!

I had to come to this little bar to get a decent Internet connection.  They specialize in tapas.  The middle three are croquettas.  I had a jamon (ham) croquetta.  Sort of a deep fried ham concoction.  Very tasty!  On the left are some Spanish sausages.  I have had these and they are divine.  On the right is a pastry with tuna.  It is a local especially.  And in addition to wonderful food and good wine, they are playing Abba at full blast!  What fun!

So until tomorrow, I bid you adieu!