Several minutes after leaving Orrison this morning the sun rose majestically over the mist covered mountains

A full sized statue of Mary and baby sits high on a rocky outcrop 50 metres from the trail.

Fenced grazing land soon gave away to open mountainside and small farming hamlets dotted the nearly barren mountains.

The tinkling of bells was the one constant today. Cow bells, horse bells and sheep bells. With a heavy band of cloud creating floating mountains the Pyrenees puts on a spectacular show.

We walked over a variety of trails today from small paved roads to tracks that were barely visible to well worn paths.

Approximately one kilometre before the Fontaine de Roland is a man with a van. He offers cold drinks and snacks and the last Camino stamp in France. A very welcome sight. At the fountaine we took the time to refill our water bottles and to have a break.

From just past the Fontaine de Roland the Camino runs along the Spanish side of the French Spanish border untill it reaches the Col de Bentarte.

After the equivalent of 215 sets of stairs we arrived at Col de Bentarte. After a good breather and an eye watering view we had a discussion with several other walkers. We had been told vehemently at the Pilgrims office not to take the 3 kilometres of steep rubble strewn track, but to take the sealed road. Four years ago there had been no such warnings and I had taken the track. Feeling invincible I decided to do it again and hope there had been no drastic change to its condition. About half way down Poor Dave’s legs felt like jelly but we made it without drama to Roncesvalles. And Poor Dave was rewarded with his first blister, albeit a small one.

The long building to the right dates from the 12 century and is a funeral chapel where masses were said for pilgrims who died at the monastery’s hospital.

Roncesvalles. A village with a huge old monastery several restaurants and a massive pilgrim albergue. It’s sole purpose it seems is to cater to pilgrims and tourists. It has a permanent population of less than 30.