Day 2 Up and up some more Borda and Roncesvalles

Sunrise at Borda.
The first third is physical.
The second third is mental.
The last third spiritual.
Well we are firmly in the physical part of our trip. A lot of people do the St Jean to Roncesvalles in one day. Our old bodies were just fine with taking two days
We had beautiful weather. We sent our backpacks on (we just had daypacks) and Roz was feeling better. Amazing what food and sleep will do for you.
These are basque sheep. They are everywhere and the sound of cow bells can be heard a long way away. Supposedly it is to keep track of the sheep and also the sound changes when the animal gets startled by a predator.
This is how we rest when no seat is available.
Someone put a statue of The Virgin Mary way up in those hills.
Up and sometimes a gentle down before going back up.
There are horses everywhere. Supposedly wild.
Way marker.
Climbing up these scree slopes is hard on bipedal but was especially difficult for the cyclists we saw.
Rest stop.
Shepard hut.
Beautiful views. Oh yeah and it was so windy.
Crossing into Spain.
Mountain sides of Heather

The first one to the top of a hill waves their arms to indicate it is flat.
Horses kept us company and we actually had to walk through a small herd later in the day to get into the monastery.
We made it to the top.
Poor Roz. I made her take a bit of a nasty short cut down a hill.
Fairy land coming into Roncesvalles. It was magical and flat.
Two cows decided it was milking time so escorted us all the to Roncesvalles. They wouldn't let us pass until they joined the herd.
The church at Roncesvalles.
I went to mass and got the Pilgrims blessing. So far in my life, I have been to mass in Dutch, German,  French and now Spanish. I can't understand a word they are saying but I know the general format. The acoustics are incredible.
Roncesvalles. The monastery where we stayed. Over 200 beds.

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