Day 35, May 11
13 miles, 427 miles total
Altitude: unlisted
Weather: cloudy, overcast 58-70K
Navarrenx
Palm trees to Pyrenees Mountains all in one glance. Alas, there isn’t enough contrast in the Pyrenees and horizon to do justice to either in a photograph.
Day 34, May 10
14 miles, 414 miles total
Altitude: unlisted
Weather: sunny 58-77F
Maslacq
White Blouse
Though I wash it every day,
All it becomes is gray.
White Blouse.
Chappel de Caubin.
Day 34, May 10
14 miles, 414 miles total
Altitude: unlisted
Weather: sunny 58-77F
Maslacq
Things Never Expected
Women in floral dressing gowns.
Men in blue pajamas.
Feeling more privacy in a mixed dorm,
Than a room for two with an unknown man.
Day 32, May 8
19 miles, 386 miles total
Altitude: unlisted
Weather: overcast, partly cloudy 58-77F
Pimbo
Not attending my iPhone properly, the battery ran dangerously low.
Chapel to the rescue as I pulled out the charger and sat. My stay became a perfect de Retrouver, rendezvous. I shared my blog with a delightful Frenchman.
Eglise de Sensacq, 11th-century.
Day 32, May 8
19 miles, 386 miles total
Altitude: unlisted
Weather: overcast, partly cloudy 58-77F
Pimbo
May 8th is the anniversary of Charles de Gaulles 1945’s announcement ending World War II in France and is celebrated thought France. Monuments in every village record the names of people who died for their country. No village was spared the ultimate sacrifice. Flowers and flags were noticeable at every monument.
The most memorable conversation I had was with a young Parisian who’s grandfather fought in WWII. The story his grandfather told him continues to be fresh. The first enemy his grandfather killed resulted in an avalanche of love rather than hatred for the enemy. As it was his country’s war, he had no other choice than to continue fighting.
Day 31, May 7
11 miles, 367 miles total
Altitude: unlisted
Weather: overcast 58-73F
Aire-sur-l’Adour
Cathedral of Saint-Jean Baptisme.
It is 12th-century; though, it has been altered several times.
Pilgrims’ blessing received with greatful heart.
Day 30, May 6
12 miles, 356 miles total
Altitude: unlisted
Weather: overcast 58-73F
Lanne-Soubiran
Churches have an open door policy.
Of the 95% churches visited, the door is unlocked. Vandalism is non existent.
Day 28, May 4
11 miles, 327 miles total
Altitude: 135 meters
Weather: sunny with partial clouds 38-64F
Montreal-du-Gers
What a difference a day without rain makes. Though the rain had been light, the ground was saturated. A few days ago I discovered the joys a clothes drier could bring. Today no clinging cloying mud and dry cloths off the line.
Morning break was by an old castle, Larresingle, with surrounding walls in tack. I still catch my breath seeing such antiquities.
Day 27, May 3
10 miles, 316 miles total
Altitude: 478 meters
Weather: cloudy, partly sunny 38-58F
Condom
Chapelle Sainte-Germaine from 12-13th century is all that remains of a former monastery. A group from Versailles called me back as I had breezed right by the Chapelle. How fortunate for me as I enjoyed my moment of silence and respite in this secrete place. Once again I find the less within a church, the more my mind has to say. Note my back pack resting on the third aisle left side.
Day 26, May 2
12 miles, 306 miles total
Altitude: 478 meters
Weather: rainy, cloudy, partly sunny 38-58F
La Romieu
Any way you want it is how you’d find the weather. No longer do I feel annoyed putting my rain jacket on and off. I can’t say the same for my “Chippendale” (full length double-side zip) rain pants as they take time putting them on and off.
The mud reminds me of the summer slip and slide toy made by Wham-O. Your feet go every which way. Keeping upright takes full attention.
Picnic lunch by the pond with a priceless view of the 14th-century Collegiale Church. My room is a mixed dormitory at a former convent. Wonder what the nuns would have to say?
Linda Scandore 