St Jean Pied de Port - Valcarlos 20 April

MThe Pilgrimage starts. Although we are very impressed by everyone else we meet who are planning to go all the way to Santiago! But we are doing the most difficult and most beautiful part. And who knows, we might go the whole way next time.

The happy wanderers set off in warm spring sunshine. After 8 km of walking along the busy road to Pamplona, we realise that we are on the wrong path. We missed a turn off and should be walking on the other side along the river!

Fortunately, Sven the map reader, took control and found the right way, St James Way!

The last 3,5 km to Valcarlos were most pleasant with fantastic views of green hills, beautiful meadow flowers and fat sheep.

Sorry to say we ate a fat sheep for lunch. Tasty lunch with first course asparagus, main course lamb or beefsteak, dessert, coffee and a bottle of wine all for 12.50 Euros. The couple next to us gave as their bottle of wine of which they had only drunk about a quarter. We were mighty impressed untill we understood that the wine was included in the menu. Still, very kind of them, otherwise the wine would just have gone back to the kitchen

Found our booked accommodation. A quite luxurious apartment, very un-pilgrim like, but so comfortable. Especially as it has become a bit rainy and cloudy. Resting untill dinner time.

View from street outside our apartment.

A modern monument to pilgrimage,  6 figures standing, one fallen down, with the church in the background. The church was locked.

A rainbow, a promise that it will stop raining. We hope so. Checking the weather sites, not so promising.

A sign I have not seen before in Valcarlos. I think it warns that there could be cows in the street and to take care.

Walking along the road, missed the real path.

After 8 km found the path, much better, no cars and lovely surrounding.

The map we followed, but too late!

Carl looking concerned before the first leg of the walk.

Sven has been telling us (all the time!) about Roland, and statue to the honour of Roland on the top of the mountain. Have checked his story on Wikipedia and here it is:

Tradition holds that this is the valley [val-] where Charlemagne's rear-guard, under the command of Roland, was slaughtered by Vascons at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778. Tradition holds that Charlemagne's troops were returning across the Pyrenees and had become stretched thin. The Vascons, unhappy with the Franks, fell upon the rear-guard and annihilated it. Roland sounded his horn but it was in vain as his horn was split upon a rock near Roncesvalles and he was slain along with his force. This battle at Valcarlos would prove to be Charlemagne's worst, and some say only, defeat in Iberia.