Day 23, April 29
15 miles, 267 miles total
Altitude: 249 feet
Weather: rainy and cloudy 38-58F
Moissac
Muddy footprints will lead you here for this series of photographs from one knoll. My stride resembled Michael Jackson’s moonwalk as slick mud draws each foot backwards. Caked mud makes the boots heavy like iron weights. Is it worth the effort? Yes!
Day 23, April 28
15 miles
267 miles total
Altitude: 249 feet
Weather: rainy and cloudy 38-58F
Moissac
Pilgrims, as did I, came to big cathedrals.
Abbey Church of Saint-Pierre was built in 12th century. I attended vespers service lead by four nuns who had the most amazing voices. Each note they sung suspended in the air as it echoed off the stone walls. The nuns wore the traditional white gown and vail having an etheral and fluid quality. They made the sigh of the cross and bowed with exaggerated yet graceful movements. They moved like dancers. Like opera sung in Italian, one did not need the knowledge of French to understand the beauty of the service.
Day 23, April 29
15 miles, 267 miles total
Altitude: 249 feet
Weather: rainy and cloudy 38-58F
Moissac
Pilgrims, as did I, came to little chapels. Church of Saint -Semin-du-Bosc.
Day 23, April 29
15 miles, 267 miles total
Altitude: 76 meters
Weather: rainy, cloudy, partly sunny 38-58F
Moissan
What could be easier than to walk beside a canal for 10 miles? So I thought. I am told to stay on the west side of the canal as it is a pebble track while the east side is dirt AKA mud. However, the Chemin directs you back and forth from the west to the east side of the canal to access hamlets for your daily quota of expresso thus support the local economy. A bridge is under construction so the locals communicate to me to cross the canal at an earlier interval. The outcome is I miss the turn from the canal walking extra miles. Another caveat is the turn off is at mile 6 and not mile 10 as told. Many pilgrims told the same unfortunate tale this night. Misery does not enjoy company. Moral of the tale is to stick to the guide.
None the less, isn’t it beautiful?
Day 22, April 28
14 miles, 260 miles total
Altitude: 725 feet
Weather: rainy, cloudy, partial sun 38-58F
Lauzerte
In Le Puy, the priest asked that we accept a prayer request card. In each church along the Chemin, I wish Arthur and Ava strength to live and peace.
All churches or public squares have a memorial for WWI or WWII soldiers. I am constantly reminded much blood was shed in this beautiful nation.
Day 22, April 28
14 miles, 252 miles total
Altitude: 725 feet
Weather: rainy, cloudy, partial sun 38-58F
Lauzerte
Mud
It is made with water.
It is removed by water.
Mud.
Day 21, April 27
13 miles, 238 miles total
Altitude: 400 feet
Weather: sunny and stormy 34-60F
Lascabanes
Au Revoir Joanna
Where I have been.
Where I am going!
Jigsaw Camino.
Day 21, April 27
13 miles, 2438 miles total
Altitude: 400 feet
Weather: sunny and stormy 34-60F
Lascabanes
Au Revoir Joanna
If today’s weather were a person, it would be a two year old.
If today’s weather was a Shakespeare play, it would be Hamlet,
If today’s weather was I symphony, it would be Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries.
If today’s weather was an actress, it would be a diva.
If today’s weather was an entree, it would be Shrimp Diablo.
It truly was an accelerating day. Muddy clothes are clean and drying on the clothes line.
Day 20, April 26
15 miles, 225 miles total
Altitude: 400 feet
Weather: partly cloudy & light rain 34-60F
Cahors
Au Revoir Joanna
This I how it works. A driver takes the older white
Shihuahua
by car while the 4 month
Shihuahua
rides in a kangaroo waist pouch being carried on the Camino. They are going to Santiago with the charming red head from Bordeaux and her Spanish friend.
Day 20, April 26
15 miles, 225 miles total
Altitude: 400 feet
Weather: partly cloudy & light rain 34-60F
Cahors
Joanna, from London joins me
Straight as an arrow could well described the rocky ancient Roman roads we traveled today. After five hours of straight road, dreary could also be said. What perfect setting for a pilgrim’s welcoming station, Foot Rest. We felt as though the volunteer had been waiting all day long for Joanna and I to arrive. He brightened up just like a hungry puppy greeting its mother.
Welcome
sometimes has a flat quality. This volunteer’s
Welcome
could not have been more sincere or more appreciated.
Linda Scandore 