23 September Overcast and humid but no rain until late evening thunderstorm

Well, we made it through France to the portal for Spain. Now at the foot of the Pyrenees, with the next forward going day climbing the Roncesvalles pass. Yes, this is the Roncesvalles of the Song of Roland. Maybe we will be able to hear the echo of the horn.

[If you are not up on your medieval stuff and have any interest suggest you look up Song of Roland].

We will stay here two nights to better gain our legs. That and eating some more of the wonderful Brebis cheese (ewe’s milk). Had some for a snack before the final assault into the Porte of St. Jacques, the Unesco portal to this very beautiful village.

The Citadel sits on top of a large hill overlooking the Pyrenees and is now a college. Its walls are thick and serve as the last of what must have been impenetrable entry after passing the Spanish gate (two meters thick) and then the St. Jacques gate and wall. Arrow slit openings all the way down.

Among our celebratory actions: going to the official Camino office and getting our passports stamped, having two Pastis (actually Richard), buying a final camembert, having a crepe, and putting out the saved Armanac.

Tried a local Appellation Controlle called Irouleguy. Have not seen it exported. Decent but not as good as some other regions.

Question about veggies. They seem to be absent in the restaurants. Managed to get some green beans but they were not fresh. Everything else we ate was excellent ( soup de poisson, basque poulet, salade) but not the veggies. Over the past month we have seen almost no veggies in the restaurants. Tomatoes and an occasional carrot.

Speaking of tomatoes. I am in love with the Basque area. They seem to use tomatoes for every dish. Piperade, bread, salad, poulet sauce (had bits of ham).