Roncesvalles to Larrasoana

Roncesvalles is also called Orreaga which assumed was because one name was French and the other Spanish. But no, it turns out Orreaga is the Basque name for the place. Jean at the bar in Orisson told us that the celts had come through the area a few times and in his own experience spending a lot if time in Scotland and Ireland, he realises that while there are NO words common to Basque and French, there are quite a few in common with celtic languages. Änd, ´that is good to know as Aunty Frances would say.´

Here´s a Basque road sign

Today was quite a long day, 28.5 km so we set out at 6.45am and walked to Burguete for breakfast of cafe con leche, and a croissant with ham and tomato at 7.30am.

 A few villages later things were starting to open and we found a tiny supermarket that sold fruit. This was a god send. The food had been delicious but we had had no fruit or veg and between jet lag and meat and potatoes we were starting to feel the lack. We stocked up on figs plus fruit and yogurt.

What I missed completely was one of the top up fountains along the way and ran out of water. So I was not in good shape when we arrived at 4.30pm to Larrasoana. I have now figured out how to get a full 2L in my hydration bladder and of course I have a water bottle as well.

Today I also had to walk about three hours in my teva sandals after my toes became excruciatingly sore on an extended downhill section.

The good things about Larrasoana was the river. Instead of a shower (turns out they were cold anyway) I just lay down in the flowing river for a good long time. So delicious.