The Iberian Wandering - Days 25& 26

Thursday, May 15

Our last stop before we left France and the CESMs was the town of Saint Jean Pied-de-Port.  

The town's role is the beginning of the French Camino for pilgrims walking to Santiago de Compostela.

We didn't spend a lot of time there, just checking out the church and bridge mentioned in most Camino journey accounts.

Notre Dame Port

Pilgrims and Tourists

Part of city's walls

We then drove the very twisty N-135 road south.  It took us across the border with Spain while mostly foggy conditions precluded much sightseeing.

We blew past Roncesvalles due to the thick fog conditions, and killed time getting lunch and trying to find an open grocery store.

Lunch was at a "supermarket" we stopped at, it's offerings were barely that of a poorly stocked convenience store but they did feed us.

Finally, we were able to check into our apartment.  Martha scored us great lodgings again.

Comes with a full kitchen and a wood fireplace!

Friday, May 16

After a nice breakfast cooked by Martha, we headed back north to Roncesvalles to check out the beginning of the this Camino route.

First was a look at Roland Pass, where the rearguard forces of King Charlemagne, under the command of Roland were ambushed and killed by Basque forces.  This was in retaliation for Charlemagne's army destroying the Basque capital's walls in what is today modern Pamplona.  More info here: LINK

The chapel was locked, of course, but a peep through the door:

Then, we drove the few miles south to the village of Roncesvalles.

Battle of Roncesvalles Monument 

Roland

That was it for exploring today.  Once the clouds moved in we returned to the apartment and hung out.

Oh, we did see several pilgrims walking along, crossing the N-135 highway to continue on the Camino trail that sort of paralleled the "highway".