1.b Descent to Roncesvalles

It was August 15. 778 AD that the Frankish Emperor Charlemagne crossed the Pyrenees with Christian zeal, intent on a mission: to halt the Muslim advance into mainland Europe. 

Yakob Yakobson, was an ordinary, itinerant militiaman from Le Petite Sark, Channel Islands, who happened to find himself stuck in the rearguard when they came under attack at Roncevaux Pass, a narrow and vulnerable stretch of high mountain ground way up in the treacherous Pyrenees.

Struck to the ground by a single arrow, his legs gave way and his breath failed him.

In a single, resolute act of desperation he determinedly put his defiant hand in the air.

And it was with great relief that, although limp and fading, the hand was held tightly by his trusty companion Sir Stephen Grab-Handle and his first born son Prince Frongolo. . . . 

It was May 14, 2025 when unable to move, talk or hold my water, my feet dragging one on top of the other, two medical orderlies pulled me out of my bed and down my stairs to place me gently into the back of a blue lit ambulance. 

I was left on a gurney in the corridor of the local hospital. Whereafter, I was taken to a ward and given powerful neurological medication to regain consciousness and some functional abilities.

It was in the shadows of the night that I grew the resolve to fight for my life.

We all have visions of a better life and my one centred around Walking.

Yes, walking the Camino, but more specifically down through the ‘valley of thorns’ crossing the Roncevaux Pass and down into the valley of where you can find rest at the 12th century Dutch Hospital (Real Collegiate de Santa Maria, where the Augustinians are connected with the care and service of the pilgrims, including mass at Iglesia de Santa Maria.

And I am still walking, still living, still so close  with those who I cherish, admire and love so dear.

I need you to keep me alive! 

Whether in spirit or in psychology.

We number about a dozen. 

We are an even mix of Troubadour’s and Grab-Handles. 

With a Healer in our midst.

This is the Legend of The Summer Grab-Hands and the Clowns!

And this a call to Action!

If you want to accompany me on my first steps of The Camino de Santiago Compostela, then book the EasyJet flight from Gatwick to Biarritz (KPNP6F7) that leaves at 06:00 on Saturday 19 July.

If you need rest on the Friday, you can stay with me at my brother’s house in Brighton.

If you can’t make it, don’t fret and don’t explain.

I really don’t care!

Because there will be a Grab-Hand to keep me steady and a clown to keep me amused.

And because I am Living in The Liminal Space between Life and Death. And I am absolutely Supercharged to stay Alive. I am going.

When you have booked your flight give this post a ❤️, so we know to expect you.

Yours, 

Yakob Yakobson.