Day 2 ~ 7th August 2000

Igorre to Oxtandio

Having slept well we studied our maps over breakfast, and at the receptionists recommendation, we decided to avoid the main road and take the quieter, old road which runs through Dimas.

Unknown to us we were about to start a tremendous climb, through some fantastic mountain scenery. Fortunately, we set off on an overcast morning, but by mid day the temperature had started to rise, which helped to make this one of the hardest days of our pilgrimage. We didn't note down the altitude that we reached, but we found this climb at least as hard as the one to "el Cruz de Ferro". But, having said that the downhill section to Oxtandio was euphoric.

We were fortunate to find one vacant room in a "Caserio", which was the only accommodation in this Basque pueblo. This was excellent can can be highly recommended, a double en suite room cost 4500 pts.

We ate at what we were told was the only place in town to serve evening meals. We had an excellent set meal, that consisted of fish soup, followed by pork chops, homemade flan, a bottle of wine, and "chupitos" for 2450 pts for two people.