Glad that you found a room at the inn! All the crowds of summer will be gone and those busy bars closed come winter; although one might need to ring their bell the monastery itself is always open to shelter pilgrims as it has done for one thousand years .
January 24, 2009 I walked 18 k in 5 hours through strong wind, heavy rain, sleet and eventually dense snow up the Valcarlos route to the almost mythic monastery of Roncesvalles! Saw few people and no other pilgrims; I was the only one staying in the old winter albergue.
The monk who opened the door and stamped my Credential invited me to the evening benediction. As always it was lovely. The service was held in the ancient Romanesque church (wonderfully heated!!) in front of the magnificent silver sculpture of the Virgin. Three monks assisted and asked me to stand with them at the altar. ...In retrospect how special it was that snowy night to be the single pilgrim where crowds have stood and will continue to stand throughout time. ...
Margaret Meredith