...pilgrimage has gained momentum

a funny thing. i was walking passed a vending machine in the mid day heat in the small spainish village we arrived in today when an ice cold bottle of water dropped out. i looked around...no one there but someone seemed to be looking after me.

we´re on day 3 of actually walking on our pilgrimage. we started walking from st jean pied de port on thursday morning.....early.....too early. it was dark and raining. we made it over the pyrennes about 30km, with a little stop in nice little town called valcarlos. the climb up to roncevalles yesterday was a real killer... the thunder storm didin´t help. luckily we found a derelict house to get some shelter from the storm (thanks for the song bob-going through my head the whole time).

so yesterday we reached Roncesvalles where many spainish pilgrims start. it´s kind of a pilgrim factory, stamp them in, bless them, let them sleep in a big (converted barn, quite nice actually) then kick them on their way in the morning.

so 22km to the next place today, Zubiri. nicehostel with free internet. although as i write numerous peregrinos (pilgrims) are asking me in a variety of languages whether i have any beds. some little spanish kids just booked a girl in while there mum was out when there wasn´t a bed left. that´s got to hurt after a long walk.

so onwards to pamplona and a hotel/day off. maybe tomorrow if we can make it .....or the next day. lisa and i are still getting into our stride