Days 3-5 of the Camino wander through the Basque farmland. Beautiful fields of grains and pastures for cattle & sheep. The change in altitude continues with rolling hills and valleys and beautiful small rivers. The farms are tidy and the towns are frequent. The villages are the cleanest that I have ever seen. Each home is freshly whitewashed with red shutters a Basque tradition and gorgeous flowers on their window boxes. The streets are cobbled.

 

 

We have been hiking for 6 days and the beauty of the countryside continues to amaze us. Our Camino journey started in St Jean Pied de Port in the heart of the Pyrenees. The hillsides are verdant and dotted with grazing cows – most with bells and herds of sheep. We hiked 2 days through the Pyrenees and while not towering peaks the steepness of the terrain, constant up and down let us know they were in charge. This area was sparsely populated with few places for breaks and water. When we did come to a village they were neat & tidy centered with a large church. Basques call this their home and they seem an industrious bunch. The second day of hiking in the Pyrenees was a straight up haul. The path was thick with tree canopies and upon reaching the top we were rewarded with a mountaintop vista that was spectacular.

Additionally at the top is a monument to Roland – Charlemagne’s brother who met his demise at this spot. ….it was pretty easy for us to imagine how he could have been ambushed here.

Over the top – on to village -Roncesvalles home to nourishment😊and a bit of rest. Roncesvalles has spectacular cathedrals, convents, and seminaries which now host pilgrims.

T

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton