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We got down to the start at 0700 and had some cake for breakfast,I would be lieing if I was to say that I was not worried, as my ankle has been playing up big time and I have had serious doubts about my ability to complete this arduous day.
We set off and after 100 yds witnessed this,sadly we ignored the obvious signs .the rainbow was warning us of things to come,being Hulmes we totally ignored it and bashed on.
From the minute we started it was uphill and when I say it was uphill it was uphill,we were amazed by how many walkers we came upon within the first 30 minutes.
After about an hour it started to rain so we put on our wet weather gear,it is very sad when you spend a fortune on the best wet weather clothing money can buy to find it does not work,within minutes we were soaked to the skin,but we pushed on in the belief it could not get any worse and it did.
Thankfully we came across a hostel at Orisson which was some 5 miles into the walk, hot tea and cake lifted our spirits,by this time we were drenched and tired, we took great comfort from the thought that the worsed was behind us, little did we know what was to come.
On we went us merry pilgrims full of good cheer and a happy heart.It got steeper and steeper,then the fog came down and the rain got heavier, we all lost sight of each other, Malcolm had forgotten to bring his wet weather trousers and was soaked, alarm bells were beginning to ring loudly,still we went on in the belief that if this is all The Camino can throw at us we can deal with it,surely it cannot get any worse than this!!
Then the thunder started ,lightning bolts striking all around us,by this time we getting nervy with some justification,people were turning back ,after 30 minutes it decided to move on,thank god we thought to ourselves,that is the end of that things are on the up,wrong !!! Then the worse hail storm known to man hit.The wind was so strong the hail was cutting into my face, it really was getting cold
Well by this time we were freezing ,I pushed on ahead of Malcolm and Jeremy the wind had really got up and I was just thinking to myself, I am really hungry and I would kill to come upon a burger bar in this bleak and isolated place but knowing the way our luck is going ,no chance and lo and behold in the middle of no where ,my prayers were answered.
I had two warm cups of tea and awaited the team,I got talking to a lovely Australian lady Called Fleur who after 10 minutes moved on,eventually the lads appeared through the mist,I suspect they were as surprised as me to come upon this fine establishment,Malcolm was showing the early signs of hyperthermia and was too cold to stop as he needed to walk to stay warm, the alarm bells were getting louder and louder and louder.
Within minutes of leaving that oasis Fleur back down the mountain in a bad state the cold had got the better of her and she was very distressed with some cause as it was really atrocious by this time,we gave her some of our gear to keep her warm,within seconds we came upon 6 American lads in shorts and totally unprepared for the conditions, out came our chocolate and supplies to help them,I told everyone to stick together and off we went, much more of this and I was beginning to think we had a crisis on our hands.
By this time I was really beginning to understand The Camino spirit as we looked after and encouraged
our new found friends,I think someone must have approved of our kindness as the sun came out .I have never witnessed such changeable weather conditions in my life.
At last things were on the up,and still we climbed and climbed,I must point out at this time I became aware that all the training we had done was really beginning to pay off ,I was full of walking and to my surprise my ankle was holding up,
The views now the clouds had moved on were stunning and despite being cold we began to feel our spirits lift.
At last we began to dry off and after walking for 5 hours we reached the top of our climb and and started the 4 mile descent into Roncesvalles.
3 miles down Fleur slipped over on a very steep descend Malcolm being the chivalrous chap that he is tried to grab her and went arse over b.......s himself and damaged his over knee(I should have mentioned earlier Malcolm was already nursing a damaged knee from a previous incident) he was on his back lieing on his rucksack looking like an upturned turtle,we eventually got him righted and off he limped ,Malcs was covered from head to foot in mud,I am ashamed to say I went ahead and could not stop laughing at his expense.
All who have walked The Camino have not been as lucky as we have,as these reminders pointed out.
At last we arrived at Roncesvalles and headed straight to a bar and had a couple of beers with other walkers,just when I was beginning to relax I saw this,a reminder of the task ahead.
We are staying in a super hotel we have managed to get all our kit washed ready for tomorrow, we are eating at 8 o'clock and hope to have an early start tomorrow.Sadly Malcolm leaves us tomorrow, I have nothing but admiration for him today ,many would have given up when the chips were down. but he really stuck to the task, Jeremy's back was playing up and he walked through it.
As for me I have had one of the best days I have had in a long time,it bought the best out in me,I loved it.The challenge was superb,we all rose to it and despite all The Camino could throw at us we dealt with it,I am really upbeat about the rest of the walk and I can really understand why so many people want to take this challenge on.
Statistics for the day.
Walked 16.5 miles 12 up hill 4.5 downhill.
2.6 mph
Walking time 6 hours 25 minutes
463 .5 miles to go
Climbed to 4500 feet.
Ps I forgot to mention we challenged an Australian couple RIchard and Sharon to see who would get to Roncesvalles first,I am pleased to tell you we won,we all feel a lot better about the Ashes now.
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