Last night at the pilgrims’ dinner, we all complained about the weather, but expressed hope the next day would be different. It was different. It just wasn’t better. We replaced the steady rain with a just as steady wind. The temps continued to drop as we continued to climb: it was just above freezing all day. And the fog/clouds remained with us. This did provide one very unusual visual effect: when the wind howled, it would temporarily disperse the fog, providing a glimpse of the countryside before the fog literally descended upon us again.
We hiked 25 kilometers and hit an elevation of 1400 meters. Part of the route was closed due to the rains making it too dangerous and slippery. We staggered in to the albergue at Roncesvalles around 1:00 pm. We were some of the first arrivals of the day, so we were able to hit the bar for lunch, get a hot shower, do a load of laundry, and catch up with the internet.
Judy has been a real trooper: we picked May to walk the Camino to avoid the worst weather in the Pyranees, and we targeted our gear on surviving the hot weather on the meseta. We never anticipated two days of ice cold wind and rain! Judy just layered up, which is not very comfortable when carrying a backpack. Still, she persevered and we made it “over the hump.”
Tonight we had another pilgrim dinner and a pilgrim Mass with a blessing. Just can’t get the photos to load online. Perhaps tomorrow.
Mañana!
Wonderful rendition of that second day and weather—it was the toughest for me as well and I was glad to make it to Spain!
Maybe we forgot to mention the sleet and howling wind when we crossed the Pyrenees…I feel your pain. Never so happy to get to any of the destinations as I was to to get to Roncesvalles. Plus, that it where we discovered pinxtos!
Hoping and praying you have had the worst of the weather. Bravo pilgrims.