Mist still hangs low over the meadows as you leave Sauveterre. Somewhere a dog barks behind a hedge. This is rolling hill country, not high mountains, but it just keeps going. You climb almost 700 metres, in short stretches that keep knocking you out of your rhythm. The highest point is modest. It’s the sum of it all that wears you down.
At well over 8 hours of walking, this is a long day. So take your breaks seriously. Ostabat is already in the Basque Country, and this is where the routes from Vézelay, Paris and Le Puy come together. You’re no longer alone on the path. Tomorrow, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port awaits. Pace yourself, and you’ll walk into Ostabat just fine.