Shared Illusions

I last posted in Cahors. Since then we’ve stayed in Granèjouls, Montcuq, Lauzerte, and right now we are just outside of Moissac. We arrived at the early hour of 2:45! A 12 mile day makes such a difference. And we are the only ones here, so I finally have time.

Tomorrow night, we’ll stay in Moissac, taking a rest day before heading to Auvillar on Monday,  June 3.

The two nights before last we were asleep by 9:30. After full days of walking, exploring a bit, showering,  and having dinner, plus using my brain to speak French, we’re pretty exhausted. Last night though was a party. There were 18 of us at Gîte La Ferme Parry. The hosts like to provide a proper many course meal, though in a down to earth manner. We started with aperitif of either kir or whiskey. Red wine with dinner, tea and eau de vie after dinner. We had soup, duck rillettes, which is OMG delicious, pasta, duck sausage, cheese, and fruit salad for dessert. Bread, bien sur. Rillettes is shredded whatever, in this case duck and prepared I don’t know how. But I plan to find a recipe. La Ferme Parry is a working farm, specializing in duck and various fruits. There were some English speakers there, so that helped Ed. Me too,  tbh. We didn’t get to bed til after 11. I slept deeply and soundly.

In Granéjouls we stayed in an older woman’s grandfather’s house. She lives next door in a converted barn. She must be in her late 70’s herself, at least. Very friendly and a singer, as a hobby, but a retired pharmacist. She sang for us at breakfast  – microphone and music accompaniment, via computer. She also provided the tradional menu complet of entrée of a piperade tart, main dish of cassoulet, cheese course and dessert, which was croustade au pomme.

Most places have put on some great meals, even when cooking for many.

In Moncuq, we stayed at Gîte Soulleilou, which is the Occitane language for little sun. I thought it was a play on soul+sun+ou, a mélange of French and English. The living area was very comfortable. Upstairs in the bedroom the smell of citronella was strong. I opened the window wide for fresh air. I can’t abide citronella!

Moncuq is a dear small town, about 50% French and 50% Brits and Dutch, we were told by the Irish owner of Restaurant le 6. We stopped by there for a drink and dinner (eschewing the pilgrim dinner at the Gîte) after touring the town. I had such a good glass of wine 🍷 that I had a second.

On the way to Moncuq:

In Moncuq:

I think it was somewhere along this day that my long toe was hurting – to the point that I fantasized about having the tip surgically removed. It’s ridiculously long! But then it stopped hurting. So. Aches just seem to move around the body. They dissipate and take up residence elsewhere.

Yesterday on the way to Lauzerte, we saw some beautiful fields of flowers and wheat.

In Lauzerte:

Seen on the way to the Gîte:

I’ll close this with these 2 photos:

We’ve hiked with and shared meals, and sometimes lodging, with this group for two days. We’ll likely not see them again as they all hiked into Moissac and we’re staying 4 kms outside of it. Plus which, we’re staying in Moissac tomorrow night. They’ll be long gone. New acquaintances will be made and lost. Life on the Chemin…

Bonne soirée! !