Roncesvalles to Zubiri - Friday 26th May

We left Roncesvalles at around 7.45 on a beautiful but very cold morning (6 degrees). Didn’t bother with breakfast at the Posada but stopped in Burguete (known as a favourite place of Ernest Hemingway) for a coffee and in Espinal for more coffee and tortilla. Outside tables in a garden and delicious food. Shortly afterwards I managed to fall backwards into a stream while trying to take a photo of the church. Very embarrassing- I felt a bit like a beetle on its back as I was wearing my very heavy pack and couldn’t easily get up. Anyway I’m fine - slightly bruised behind but no major damage.
The walk today was varied and stunning. Quite steep, both up and down, in parts, particularly at the end but manageable. We bought fruit - an apple for me and cherries and apricots - from a van in Espinal. Delicious and kept us going for most of the day - but having said that I’m glad that dinner at the hostal is early tonight as I’m very hungry now.
Had to help a man who had fallen in the same sort of way as I did earlier - he lost his balance a bit and then fell backwards owing to the weight of his pack! I wonder how many times a day this happens on the Camino!!

Tonight’s hostel and host Sara are both great. We will be a very British and Irish gathering - the three Irish siblings and their friend who we met in St Jean and Denis and Bernie also from Dublin who we met on the trail yesterday. Also James from the Uk and a few others. Dinner smells v good.
This is such a special experience - I’m loving very minute tho am definitely quite tired. Looking forward to Pamplona tomorrow.Read more