Some Camino Reflections: Arriving in Roncesvalles

And so down, down, down we went...from 4,757 feet to 950 ft below, in two very long and rocky and 

dangerous hours, until we reached our goal.

 After storing our boots and paying for our board and beds, we were shown to our bunks in a tiny cubicle in a great big room full of other pilgrims like us.

 Our "drying the laundry" window ledge and misty view!

After dinner and conversations we crossed the yard to the church...

Went up yet more stairs....

Through passages until...

We reached our destination...Holy Mass in Spanish...

And a Pilgrim's Blessing with our fellow travelers from all over the world..

Before exploring the ancient crypt below!

(The text of a medieval rite dated 1078 preserved in the Missal of Vich Cathedral, Barcelona, Spain. At the Abbey of Roncesvalles the blessing is used at the end of the Mass for the blessing of pilgrims passing through.)

Blessing the Pilgrims

Lord Jesus Christ, you taught us through the Apostle St Paul that here below we have no lasting city and must always seek the heavenly city. Hear our prayers for these pilgrims we commission. May the Holy Spirit breathe his grace into their hearts; may he enliven their faith, strengthen their hope and feed the flame of their love. May they thus make their pilgrimage in the true spirit of penance, sacrifice and expiation. May the same spirit purify their minds from every evil thought. May he defend their hearts and give them the constant help of his protection so that they can reach the objective of their journey safely and by means of this pilgrimage they are now starting merit to come one day to the heavenly Jerusalem. You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

R: Amen

May the Lord always guide your steps and be your inseparable companion throughout your journey.

R: Amen

May our Lady of Roncesvalles grant you her motherly protection, defend you against all dangers of soul and body. Through her intercession may you arrive safely at the end of your pilgrimage.

R: Amen

May St Raphael the Archangel accompany you throughout your journey as he accompanied Tobias and ward off every contrary or troublesome incident.

R: Amen

And may almighty God bless you, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

R: Amen

Go in the peace of Christ

(Translated from a French version of the Latin original by Brother David Leo fsc)

Some Camino Reflections: And reaching the tippy top, we finally started down to Roncevalles...

It was only our second day of walking, and we were enjoying the views...

...the grazing mares and their colts,

...the flocks of long-haired sheep and those recently shorn.

Still we pressed onward, through this crevasse at the top of the hill...

As I looked over I noticed Laura walking on top of the clouds.

Then finally we came to the top of it all...

 ...turned the bend and found mud, deep and sticky mud

...then round another bend we saw it again: life giving water !  We filled up and went on.

Before long we heard tin bells clanking noisily as a herd of horses crossed our trail.  (Press the arrow below to hear for yourself!)

Rounding yet another sharp turn, I paused to rest and rewrap my foot...

Laura's backpack looked so nice with her shell and tiny saints hanging on for a ride.

 We walked over yet more rocks on our quest to reach our goal: 15.6 miles to Roncesvalles in two days... or bust! 

At last we arrived at the steep descent to the monastery....from 4,757 feet to 950 feet down this warned-about narrow and very rocky trail.

Some Camino Reflections: And then we went on...

Coming down from my "mountain top" experience of seeing the iconic statue of the Virgin of Orrison looking over the clouded lands of Basque France down below, 

I tended to my left foot which had an open sore at the lace line of my boot, 

....thanked Laura for being our "medic" and offering me her supplies

 ...then stepped off on the road and to wherever it would take us...

 ...passing fields of sheep and cloud-filled valleys...

...until we arrived at our "oasis", a food truck on the way and after our water was gone.

Thank Heaven for shade from automobiles and spectacular scenery to picnic beside..

...and Water!  Glorious water!  Without which we could not survive.

Ah, yes, and the teeny, tiny flowers too!

Love, Ronda

Some Camino Reflections: In the Clouds for a Day

While we were still "up there" and continuing on our way...

...the scenery was absolutely breathtaking...

...the Virgin Mary there to greet us...

...and a self-proclaimed photographer there to mark our stay!

(Perhaps I should try to write the rest of the blog in verse....like Dr. Seuss :))

Some Camino Reflections: Nearing the Top at 4,000 Feet

In the morning we were rested, and departed in the early morning clouds to climb to the peak of our journey and then descend quickly down...to the monastery in Roncevalles, Spain for our recharging and Camino blessing before continuing on.

Cows on our journey...

Another sign pointing the way...

Here we are pausing to photograph what is at the very top of the hill....can you see them?? It is a flock of black headed sheep....

All of it simply a wonder to behold!

Some Camino Reflections: Heading out...and up!

...and so out we went, and across town, and up into the hills....

 ... searching for tiny signs to indicate "the way"...

We saw sheep grazing on steep inclines as we slowly climbed...

Though it was in the low 70 degrees F, I (for one) began to "glow"...

And so we searched out roadside water fonts...

 ...and rested a while at this mid-climb mountain cafe...

 Before setting off and up once again....searching like animals for a bit of roadside shade...

Under the tree pictured above, my focus sharpened until I detected this tiny Marian Shrine...

...what a grace!  It reminded me of "Our Lady of Lourdes"...the other Marian Shrine I had considered visiting before this day's walk....and here, once again, the shrine and she had come to me.

...and then once again we were on our way...

Before finding our Albergue and our refuge behind yet another bend!

Good Night!  

Love, 

Ronda