Ostabat-Asme

This is one of the few pictures that give us an idea of what it’s like to hike towards the Pyrenees. That little brown stripe, that is the road I’m on right now. From where I’m standing, I’m looking down at Hawks circling in the Valley below. I’ll post more about the day later.

I got here by taking an alternate route through Sainte-Palais that promised more exposure to Basque culture. Basically, I added a 8 km loop deviating from the traditional path.

It didn’t pan out as I hoped. Saint-Palais as a town is significant in history because it was a capital of Navarre. Unfortunately, I was late for Mass at Saint-Palais. I did take some pictures at the church cause it’s quite beautiful. I also visited a Passion Cross, a cross that features the implements of Jesus death, but not Jesus himself.

Turning the corner on the loop, required climbing some pretty serious hills. The reward for climbing the hills were two little chapels. The first (chapelle Sohoartze ) sits on the highest hill for miles around. It basically serves us the burial ground for a distinguished person. It appears to also serve as a waystation for pilgrims. I observed some volunteers, leaving bottles of water just outside the chapel.

The second chapel (Chapelle Haranbeltz) is maintained by a private association. It was a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The interior is intricately decorated. I was fortunate to stumble upon it while it was open since it appeared, the association was having a meeting there.

Heading down the mountain, I rejoined the traditional path on the way to the second chapel (Chapelle Harabeltz) is a much more impressive place. It was a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas. The interior was intricately decorated. This place deserves some research to learn more about its history

Then I began the long hard Hall to get to my Gîte for the evening. I was so tired. I stopped for a beer when I reached town. Also paid a visit to the local Parish church, which is also nicely decorating.

My hosts served a lovely dinner which was preceded by a sing-along, led by one of the hosts who saying and played the accordion quite well. Many of the guest joined in singing the popular songs selected by the host.

For the second evening in a row, thunderstorms quickly descended upon at sunset. The thundering continues as I write this.Læs mere