Shared Illusions

We have left the countryside of sheep goats,  and cows for farms. Acres and acres of wheat, sunflowers (newly growing), garlic (being harvested today, the 4th June and smelling oh so good and made me hungry!), alfalfa, soy beans, rye, and I don’t know what else.

Yesterday was a really flat day of walking from Moissac to Auvillar a long way along a canal. Thought it would be easier, but it was actually more tiring. I think the body responds better to changes in elevation.

Some sights:

Our Gîte here is a 15thC building – in far better shape than the one where we stayed in Rennes last fall.

This Gîte washed and dried everyone’s clothing – no charge. That’s a first. We were also treated to an aperitif, Floc de Gascogne, a vin de liqeur fortified with Armangnac. It was lightly sweet. I’ll take my Armangnac straight, thank you.

At dinner I sat next to a voluable man, Don, from South Africa. We’ve run across one another the past two days. He likes to tell you the languages he speaks, where he’s been,  where he’s going, and what to expect – as he did this same Chemin last year – a few times!

After Auvillar, we walked through St. Antoine:

And Flamarens:

Yesterday, the 4th June,  we walked Auvillar to Miradoux. We arrived early and so had a beer ( okay, 2, but they were each half pints), bread, and cheese while waiting for our Gîte. Laurance joined us for a bit and I got to parler français  with her. It was a good warm-up for the evening with our hosts. We were their only guests and so I had quite the time – three hours of listening to and responding to French.  We covered all kinds of topics and I really enjoyed it! When we are at a Gîte with lots of French speakers, it’s too hard.

It was a wonderful stay!

Today, June 5, was another pretty easy day of 10 miles past more acres of farmland. It was hot, but with a cooling breeze, so not bad. Until…arriving at our destination, Lectoure. A steep grade up. And when you thought you’d arrived at the top, more up to get to town. I’d much rather go up than down though. Down is hard on the knees and feet.

Tonight we are not dining with others at our Chambre d’Hote. Taking some down time. Tendinitis is getting a little inflamed… It’s nice and cool in our room. And I think I’ve come to a stopping place.

A plus tard!