It seems the Basques repelled his forces. This memorial was in downtown Valcarlos. This was in the 800s so they have a long memory.
Charlemagne vs the Basques
Camino Frances from Saint Jean to Sahagun, then a week in Zamora
It seems the Basques repelled his forces. This memorial was in downtown Valcarlos. This was in the 800s so they have a long memory.
Hi There!
Glad you guys are there safe & sound & on the trail! I love this Charlemagne sculpture. In my little History classes I take, (and I forget which History class this was), my Instructor talked about this Charlemagne battle and mentioned Roncesvalles, and I thought: I’m probably the only person in this class that has been there!
I liked the farm equipment pic too. That piece of machinery folds out and covers many rows of field horizontally. They may attach water to irrigate, or fertilizer or maybe even seed to the apparatus, or just prepare the field for seed. I could be wrong about this-But that’s what it looks like to me. A regular Vermont sight.
The weather looks great for you guys. Thinking of you each day.
I took a History class this morning on “Scotland and the Jacobites.” There was this woman in the class sitting behind me who would make comments with a gorgeous Scottish brogue. After class, I realized it was Moira. We talked briefly and we both acknowledged that you are in Spain right now!
Have a great day each day. My favorite line from this part of your currently posted blog: “About a pig and a half wide.” Can’t beat that! L, H
Hey, Holly, great to hear from you. That’s right, this history is your passion! I bet it was hard for you not to stand up in class and say “Roncesvalles, yes!” Maybe you did and that would be great. It is cool to think about all that has happened here. So, funny, too, that you and Moira met up in the class yesterday!
(From Wynette, somehow I got logged in as Charlie.)
Thanks for the clarification on the farm apparatus. This valley did not have much level ground, I wonder where they used this.
Yes, Moira came home and told me that she met Holly!!
“La Chanson de Roland” (The Song of Roland), an 11th century fictionalized epic poem about this battle and Roland’s rear guard action to protect Charlemagne. Required reading in French public schools (I’m guessing).
I can’t remember, had Moira and Holly met before? Hi, Moira!!
(from Wynette, somehow I got logged in as Charlie)
No, they hadn’t met and until she introduced herself Moira didn’t know who she was. It was Holly who spotted Moira, not sure how she knew her — Scottish voice maybe? Moira knew of Holly through conversations with both you and Ella.