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.
Hey Mom and Richard, I am glad weather has held up recently. Can't believe that dog who went 150 km following pilgrims. Take care - Russ
ReplyDeleteHey Mom and Richard, I am glad weather has held up recently. Can't believe that dog who went 150 km following pilgrims. Take care - Russ
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