Day 2 Orisson to Roncesvalles

I wanted to get an early start and try to leave before the other pilgrims. So, after a quick communal breakfast, I said my goodbyes and started walking. 
I took it easy and as the dawn was only just breaking, I was enjoying the fantastic sun rise on a beautiful day. It was still cool, and I was walking on and enjoying the shadows of the hills for most of the morning. 
The climbing was not as steep as the previous day and the further I walked, the more it flattened out. I was so pleased that I had made it to the top of the Pyrenees, the highest and most difficult of the whole walk to Santiago. I was well pleased with my progress and the headache of the previous few days started to lift.
It was a beautiful walk through forest of beech and pine trees.  There were sheep, cows and horses, all grazing freely. They all had bells around their necks, which created a lovely atmospheric sound as I walked by.
I made the monastery of Roncesvalles before 12pm and so spent a relaxing afternoon sitting in the shade outside the accommodation, which opened to pilgrims at 2pm.
Once I was in, I could start with a shower and then the  necessities of laundry.
I attended the Catholic pilgrims mass which welcomed pilgrims and the priest read out all the nationalities that had registered that day. After mass we had another  communal meal which was very  sociable.

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