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DISTANCE: 91.6 k/56.8 mi; TIME: 5h 58m; AV: 15.3 kph/9.5 mph; ODO: 1410.0
I woke at 6:30 am, later than I had intended. I got up, packed my street clothes and had a breakfast of bread and cheese and my “blackcurrant” brew. I made a cheese and ham sandwich for lunch. I mounted my panniers and said good byes, wishing Raphael Bon Courage.PHOTOS:The climb was not as fierce as I had expected. I had many stops to recover my breath and rest. I only pushed on one steep bend and over the last 500 metres. I changed out of my warm gear as I and the day warmed up. Later, on the descent, I put my warm gloves and Pertex over-trousers back on, because it was quite cold, and I was not working as hard as I was on the ascent. I took the Erro valley route and enjoyed it. I had my sandwich lunch by the river at a suitable stop.
As I approached the end of the valley I started to gain on a thunderstorm, so I covered up the panniers and put my overshoes on. Fortunately there was only a little rain. In Pamplona I had to take my overshoes and Pertex trousers off and wear my light weight gloves, because it was warmer. I took me an hour to find the Turismo, but got a map to find the hotel.
I booked into the “Pensión Arrietta,” but had to settle for a double room. After a shower I felt better, but I discovered that I had left my shower gel at Madame Etchegoine’s! I think I have also left my mechanical pencil there too.
I visited the cathedral, bought a Spanish phone card, phoned Jenny, and then had dinner. I could not find the “Sarasate,” the restaurant in the guide, but eventually I chose “La Chistera.”
Valcarlos Valley
View from Punto Ibañeta
Chapel at Ibañeta
Roncesvalles
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