Day 2 Valcarlos to Roncesvalles

Had a good sleep last night and got up at 630am due to noise from a family of Canadian pilgrims who wanted to set out early. (They eventually left 15mins before me at 745). Grrrr...Today was one of the toughest day on the camino and I knew it was going to be tough so I opt to not walk with anyone and set out on my own at 8am. All my energy was needed for the 12km of uphill and 2km of downhill for today's stage and I would rather hear the birds chirps rather than human noises.

The stage brought us into the Basque Country and signs are now written in Basque language. Today my companions are fat black Spanish slugs and some colourful beetle. Half the way was walking on tarmac next to the freeway and half the way was in the Spanish forest. Due to the uphill of today's stage I also had half the weight of my backpack transferred by taxi to Roncesvalles for 7 euros and it made the a lot more bearable. Got to Roncesvalles at 12pm. Had something to eat and checked in at the Monastery Alberque which was 10euro per bed. This alberque can accommodate 250people but its very clean and very new with everything that a pilgrim will need. They is even washing machine to use!

Booked into the really posh hotel next door for pilgrim dinner for 10euro and will be attending the pilgrim mass here at the monastery to get a pilgrim blessing.

Met some Aussies today. A couple of Czech origin from Sydney. They are walking because the husband has throat cancer and he just finished his chemo treatment 3 months ago. Met another group of pensioner from Warnambool too.
Walked most of the way by myself and didnt meet many others

Tomorrow's plan is to walk to Zubiri which is 23km away. Still need to lose some weight off my now 8kg backpack!