Q. So. How do They say ¨"Switchback" in France?

A. They dont! It is all staight up or straight down. Well, we made the 27km yesterday only to find, again, ·no room at the inn·. We were beat, me more than Kyle.

We arrived in Roncesvalles at about 6pm, got our stamps in passports, and were offered a table for 2 or we could join another 2 at a table for 4. I said, no problem, we´ll join the couple already seated. They are Irish, like from Ireland, and their names are Damion and Mags, although when they say her name you think they are saying MIKES. Just a wee bit of an accent. So they are cool, I`ve invited them to Idaho, told them all about all of you, well, maybe not everything. They said that these last 2 days were really sheet and maybe they would just come to Idaho and let Franck cook for them and they could just really take it easy, and i wouldnt even know because id still be killing myself out here in the fyucding rain-

We met another nice boy from Calif.. he is a big boy, i think 27 or so and working on his phd, his name is Ray. His mom sewed a pocket into his t shirt for his valuables. He´s a good strong maybe 300lb. His bag weighs at least 40lb. I am pretty sure he´s minimizing the weight. A nasty little french guy told him he was "stupid". He is a sweet boy whos family is worried about him, over here, all alone, he has extra blankets, who knows maybe a microwave in there. All I know is that I worried about him all day. He made it the whole 27km in the rain with a backpack that makes lonnni´s green monster look like a childhood pet.

Also a Swedish weather reporter, I took her pic but cant get it on here yet,

In all, we made it, it was quite difficult. I am glad i didnt take my whole pack. Kyle seems fine, ok, maybe sore a bit, but he could for sure go faster than me. I hate that uphill, and i mean uphill. and only when you think its gonna be ok, ... down hill on a muddy, rocky, like big slippery rocks, rainy slope that seems to go on forever when my legs are already so tired.

Today, we were quite ready to take a bus because of the rain et al, in the end we decided that we better get going. My hip hurt from the uphill yesterday, and my knee from the downhill. Zee Americans were suprised to see us here in such speed. We walked/limped 20 km. I had a bad time on the uphill and Kyle found me a stick. It actually helped. Lots of Advil. and at night lots of Red Wine. speaking of which. i lucked out tonight and sat at dinner with 2 young french girls. Very "nice·, from Paris, they sang their prayer before they ate. LOng short... They didn´t drink wine. So, 3 people at the table, 1 person(moi)drinking wine=no problem. The Albergue (Zadika)that ·WE· made reservations at I think is good. Clean, i sprayed for bugs anyway. Not too mant cots in a room. This Computer,And a foot massage thing under the pc desk. Spanish keyboard is easier than French or German.

Tommorrow, Pamplona, dont know where.

Notes; Sorry Bill but the pedometer said that I walked 9km yesterday. I had to leave it behind, the bastard.

Swiss army knife so good. Mindy´s tips, walk backwards has saved us both.

Its late and everyone os sleeping, i need to get my bag out, quietly and slleep too. i hope i dont make too much noise looking for the Advil.

we are in Zubiri.