Day 25

On the Way, one more stop in the tiny village of Ostabat. First church we've seen with solar panels! And a gorgeous back altar.

Then on to our last stop on the Vezelay route, Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port. With some time on our hands, we followed the French route to Compostela up a very steep, winding mountain road, only 25 km but took 40 minutes! Tim is an awesome driver!! When we reached Roncevaux, just across the Spanish border, we realized what an arduous stage this is for the pilgrims, and many start their journey here.

Then on the way back down the mountain, we stopped to get a view of the heights at Ibaneta, 1,057 meters.

Saw many, many pilgrims, totally exhausted from the climb. Tim standing in front of a monument to Roland, the intrepid soldier under Charlemagne in the 8th century.

Back to Saint Jean Pied-de-Port amid hordes of tourists and pilgrims. Will tour the town tomorrow.