We are in the midst of a heat wave...very hot after 11 oclock, so we will try and start early tomorrow for our 28.5 k day. We have left the very boring flat cornfieldsand entered the more interesting hills of the Pyrenees Atlantiques. More cows, more mixed farms but still the duck farms. The laundry is drying and we have had a rest and are off to see the sights here, including the Musee de Jambon - ham museum. We are in France where food rules.
Wish us luck tomorrow. It could be brutal with the heat.
Monday, 28 September 2015
Saturday, 26 September 2015
September 26 arrived in Barcelone du Gers - our last day in the Gers
The walk is going well. The unsettled weather we experienced the first few days seems to have resolved and we have clear sunny days, quite cool in the morning and hot in the afternoon. The Pyrenees are becoming more distinct on the horizon...it is very exciting for me to think that in a little more than a week we will be back where we started our original Camino 2 years ago. We have met some very interesting walkers, both men and women, and from a variety of countries. This is where we have been:
September 23 Just past Montreal du Gers at a La Ferme Couloumé, a working vinyard producing Armagnac, that has been in the family for 5 generations and is currently run by the 91 year old father and his daughter, as far as we could tell. They have 2 dogs, one named Floc, after the aperetif, and he has a habit of following pilgrims to the extent that they hav had to retrieve him from as far away as 150 km! We ate à table with the family...my ability to follow conversations improving of necessity.
September 24 - Spent the night at Domaine du Passage, a couple of kms before Manciet. The is a horse farm that raises a particular breed of Portugese show horses, and ducks. They have 35 of the former and 5,000 of the latter. We received a very warm welcome and again at with the couple and their 2 children. Our accommodations are extremely varied which we enjoy a lot, and many of the places are off the main path, which is sometimes frustrating when we are trying to find them at the end of a day of walking, but so far has really paid off.
September 25 Lanne Soubiran at Gite d'etape Presbytre. Thought we would never get there and drank a gallon of water upon arriving. Only 2 other pilgrims, both French, a man and woman who seemed to have been interacting over a few days prior....a little soap opera for our diversion. The hospitaliero there has self published a book on the Camino...one of the many out there. The walk and the social drama exhausted me and we went to bed early after watching the cat chase a mouse around the living room.
September 26 Barcelone du Gers. A shorter day, only 17 km, flat boring countryside with lots of corn and fewer grapes. We arrived too early to check in and passed the time chatting with the pharmacist next door who has a brother Chicoutimi, Quebec. He stayed in France because he loves the wine. The hotel is a restored bastide (citadel ?) with a small pool and jacuzzi, totally unexpected, but welcome. And a computer!
So we are relaxed, clothes washed and I am getting very hungry smelling dinner being prepared - apparently they only cook for pilgrims.
Our bodies are holding up well, despite carrying heavier packs than anticipated (the Icelandair backpack debacle). Richard has a sore shoulder and my left heel hurts occasionally, but seems to be getting better the farther I go. This half of the Le Puy is less strenuous so that we can go slower and stop and enjoy...whatever, churches, animals. More time for reflection.
On to Miramont Sensacq tomorrow. Au Revoir for now.
September 23 Just past Montreal du Gers at a La Ferme Couloumé, a working vinyard producing Armagnac, that has been in the family for 5 generations and is currently run by the 91 year old father and his daughter, as far as we could tell. They have 2 dogs, one named Floc, after the aperetif, and he has a habit of following pilgrims to the extent that they hav had to retrieve him from as far away as 150 km! We ate à table with the family...my ability to follow conversations improving of necessity.
September 24 - Spent the night at Domaine du Passage, a couple of kms before Manciet. The is a horse farm that raises a particular breed of Portugese show horses, and ducks. They have 35 of the former and 5,000 of the latter. We received a very warm welcome and again at with the couple and their 2 children. Our accommodations are extremely varied which we enjoy a lot, and many of the places are off the main path, which is sometimes frustrating when we are trying to find them at the end of a day of walking, but so far has really paid off.
September 25 Lanne Soubiran at Gite d'etape Presbytre. Thought we would never get there and drank a gallon of water upon arriving. Only 2 other pilgrims, both French, a man and woman who seemed to have been interacting over a few days prior....a little soap opera for our diversion. The hospitaliero there has self published a book on the Camino...one of the many out there. The walk and the social drama exhausted me and we went to bed early after watching the cat chase a mouse around the living room.
September 26 Barcelone du Gers. A shorter day, only 17 km, flat boring countryside with lots of corn and fewer grapes. We arrived too early to check in and passed the time chatting with the pharmacist next door who has a brother Chicoutimi, Quebec. He stayed in France because he loves the wine. The hotel is a restored bastide (citadel ?) with a small pool and jacuzzi, totally unexpected, but welcome. And a computer!
So we are relaxed, clothes washed and I am getting very hungry smelling dinner being prepared - apparently they only cook for pilgrims.
Our bodies are holding up well, despite carrying heavier packs than anticipated (the Icelandair backpack debacle). Richard has a sore shoulder and my left heel hurts occasionally, but seems to be getting better the farther I go. This half of the Le Puy is less strenuous so that we can go slower and stop and enjoy...whatever, churches, animals. More time for reflection.
On to Miramont Sensacq tomorrow. Au Revoir for now.
Tuesday, 22 September 2015
September 22 finally found an internet cafe in Condom
I am really enjoying the Gers, the district that we are walking through. Here is what we have been up to for the past few days.
September 18 arrived in Castet Arrouy at Chambres d hotes chez Nat. This was a long day of 23 k, with enough hills, but plenty of time walking through fields and not too much goudron (pavement). We shared our accommodation with Nat and her dog Cookie and a Swiss French couple who were commando walkers, leaving us in their dust. They had previously cycled around the world -- for real.
September 19 arrived just beyond Marsolan, 19 k of walking. The day was mixed sun and showers with some steep hills. We were tired late in the day coming up the hill to Marsolan, when we head organ music coming from the church, so we took off our packs and went in, to be treated to half an hour`s concert. It was wonderful and every once and a while the organist broke into song. Turns our there was a concert the next evening and he was practising. How lucky for us! We were staying in a restored farmhouse beyond the town, 800 metres straight up. But what a view. The property was inherited by the husband and the couple had restored the buildings over time - very nice and a warm welcome. Lots of discussions of local history, and I am finding that if people speak slowly I can understand quite a bit. At dinner we were introduced to floc, an aperitif consisting of armagnac and grape juice. We now order it at every opportunity. We are eating and drinking very well, and if we were not walking; clothes would fit anymore. When we set off the next day we could see the Pyrenees in the distance. I had no idea that would be possible. That is our goal...the foothills of the Pyrenees;
September 20 arrived just short of Castelnau sur Auvignon, a short day of only14 k. The day was warm and sunny. Again some hills, but the countryside is described as "feminin" - gentle rolling hills. We were off the main GR65 by 1 k, and the only guests at Domaine Rose des Vents. No dinner, but we had cheese and fruit and Patricia gave us some bread and wine. We had a small cottage to ourselves with a swimming pool! So, after being greeted with coffee and pastries, we dozed in the sun and swam for three hours. Heaven! I was feeling that we were not suffering enough. We watched the lizards and doves until it got too cold, then retreated inside.
September 21 arrived in Condom - 14 k. Not a difficult day, sunny and the Pyrenees were again visible. Passed fields with grape harvests in progress and had to move aside on the small roads when the giant harvesting machines went past. Were reminded again in Castelnau that this area was a center of Resistance during WW2. Did not have a good initial impression of Condom, but that has changed. We treated ourselves to a large gizard salad lunch, of course with floc and wine, after which we could scarcely pick up our backpacks. Went to the Cathedral and spoke with the pilgrim welcomer, a very warm and gentle man. Apparently very few walkers stop, and he seemed happy to talk. We returned later for Mass after which about 20 pilgrims were blessed. Then major washing of clothes, dinner and bed. Oh yes, Richard`s bank card arrived, great news for us!
September 22 Day of rest in Condom. Leisurely breakfast, then located a cybercafe, not yet open. Decided to take a boat ride along the canal/river, opting for taking our own pique nique, so we shoppd for bread and fruit. Joined a bunch of old folks and cruised for 2 hours, including 2 locks.
Tomorrow we will be back to counting steps to the top of the next hill. And plenty of interesting encounters with fellow pilgrims. To Montreal de Gers via Larressingle.
A bientot!
September 18 arrived in Castet Arrouy at Chambres d hotes chez Nat. This was a long day of 23 k, with enough hills, but plenty of time walking through fields and not too much goudron (pavement). We shared our accommodation with Nat and her dog Cookie and a Swiss French couple who were commando walkers, leaving us in their dust. They had previously cycled around the world -- for real.
September 19 arrived just beyond Marsolan, 19 k of walking. The day was mixed sun and showers with some steep hills. We were tired late in the day coming up the hill to Marsolan, when we head organ music coming from the church, so we took off our packs and went in, to be treated to half an hour`s concert. It was wonderful and every once and a while the organist broke into song. Turns our there was a concert the next evening and he was practising. How lucky for us! We were staying in a restored farmhouse beyond the town, 800 metres straight up. But what a view. The property was inherited by the husband and the couple had restored the buildings over time - very nice and a warm welcome. Lots of discussions of local history, and I am finding that if people speak slowly I can understand quite a bit. At dinner we were introduced to floc, an aperitif consisting of armagnac and grape juice. We now order it at every opportunity. We are eating and drinking very well, and if we were not walking; clothes would fit anymore. When we set off the next day we could see the Pyrenees in the distance. I had no idea that would be possible. That is our goal...the foothills of the Pyrenees;
September 20 arrived just short of Castelnau sur Auvignon, a short day of only14 k. The day was warm and sunny. Again some hills, but the countryside is described as "feminin" - gentle rolling hills. We were off the main GR65 by 1 k, and the only guests at Domaine Rose des Vents. No dinner, but we had cheese and fruit and Patricia gave us some bread and wine. We had a small cottage to ourselves with a swimming pool! So, after being greeted with coffee and pastries, we dozed in the sun and swam for three hours. Heaven! I was feeling that we were not suffering enough. We watched the lizards and doves until it got too cold, then retreated inside.
September 21 arrived in Condom - 14 k. Not a difficult day, sunny and the Pyrenees were again visible. Passed fields with grape harvests in progress and had to move aside on the small roads when the giant harvesting machines went past. Were reminded again in Castelnau that this area was a center of Resistance during WW2. Did not have a good initial impression of Condom, but that has changed. We treated ourselves to a large gizard salad lunch, of course with floc and wine, after which we could scarcely pick up our backpacks. Went to the Cathedral and spoke with the pilgrim welcomer, a very warm and gentle man. Apparently very few walkers stop, and he seemed happy to talk. We returned later for Mass after which about 20 pilgrims were blessed. Then major washing of clothes, dinner and bed. Oh yes, Richard`s bank card arrived, great news for us!
September 22 Day of rest in Condom. Leisurely breakfast, then located a cybercafe, not yet open. Decided to take a boat ride along the canal/river, opting for taking our own pique nique, so we shoppd for bread and fruit. Joined a bunch of old folks and cruised for 2 hours, including 2 locks.
Tomorrow we will be back to counting steps to the top of the next hill. And plenty of interesting encounters with fellow pilgrims. To Montreal de Gers via Larressingle.
A bientot!
Saturday, 12 September 2015
September 12 In Cahors.....without backpack
We arrived yesterday after 24 plus hours of travelvia 2 planes and 3 trains. The major hitch being that my backpack did not come down the carousel in Paris. So I am now the owner of a small daypack and several articlesof clothes which I actually really, but was not planning to carry. They include a 2 euro hat that says MDR which apparently means dying of laughter. I did not pick the one that said WTF which I think means somethingin English. Icelandair promisesthat I will be reunited with my backpackon Monday evening. Most of today was taken up by hiking to the camping store....not far by car, but on foot a different story. We also spent a pleasant half an hour chatting with the pilgrim greeter in the cathedral where we pickedup our pilgrim passports.
And we went back to our old hotel for coffee. It is just as noisy as we remember, but it still has plenty of character. This time we opted for quiet. Now it is off to wash clothes and have dinner. I will definitely be attending mass tomorrow, then we will be off across the bridge.
The weather is pleasant and drizzly, but good for walking.
Apologies for the unresponsive spacebar on the computer
Bon Chemin We will see what tomorrow brings!
And we went back to our old hotel for coffee. It is just as noisy as we remember, but it still has plenty of character. This time we opted for quiet. Now it is off to wash clothes and have dinner. I will definitely be attending mass tomorrow, then we will be off across the bridge.
The weather is pleasant and drizzly, but good for walking.
Apologies for the unresponsive spacebar on the computer
Bon Chemin We will see what tomorrow brings!
Wednesday, 9 September 2015
This is the first hill we will be climbing as we head out of Cahors
 |
| Photo of our friend Hubert taken last year after we said farewell to him from the fortified bridge. In a couple of days this will be us contemplating climbing this hill, as we set out to complete le Chemin du Puy. |
September 9 - We leave tomorrow
Twenty-four hours from now we will be over the Atlantic on our way to Reykjavik and then on to Paris and eventually, after three train rides, our starting point, Cahors. Our packs are ready, 14 pounds for Richard, with the carry-on pack and 12 pounds for me, with the checked pack. They feel mercifully light, since we have been training with 20 pound packs, to compensate for the lack of serious hills near the cottage.
At this point, all in in the hands of the gods. Since we have a day to rest, and sort out our finances, in Cahors, and do not start walking until Sunday, I plan to attend church Sunday morning and light a candle, asking the gods to smile on us. Our first day of walking is very short, about 8 km, so we have no need to get an early start. I think our time would be better spent in church.
At this point, all in in the hands of the gods. Since we have a day to rest, and sort out our finances, in Cahors, and do not start walking until Sunday, I plan to attend church Sunday morning and light a candle, asking the gods to smile on us. Our first day of walking is very short, about 8 km, so we have no need to get an early start. I think our time would be better spent in church.
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