Even on a stroll, pilgrims need a break.
Daily I wrapped my feet in ultra thin tape to prevent blisters. Final result…NO BLISTERS! Daily packing line-up. A kind soul met, Italian of course.
Dashed hopes of arriving to the Assisi Basilica clean. My muddy boots feel like lead weights. As the saying goes, “A pound on your feet is like five pounds on your back.” Keep following the signs to Assisi.
Water and dirt make mud. Combine the previous day of rain with river bottom land and the result is huge quantities of mud.
Lunch for one in surienity and with gourmet pizza.
Truly a Starkbuck’s moment.
Day 31, May 7
11 miles, 3867 miles total
Altitude: unlisted
Weather: overcast 58-73F
Aire-sur-l’Adour
As a child clings to his mother’s hand the first day of school, mud tugs to the soles of my boots.
Shoots of wheat standing at parade rest.
Day 28, May 4
11 miles, 327 miles total
Altitude: 135 meters
Weather: sunny with partial clouds 38-64F
Montreal-du-Gers
An old pair of boots decorated the sign for today’s lodging, Gite d’tape Compostela. The two-hundred year old exposed beams make an effective room divider. By now all pilgrims are well practiced in stowing boots and batons de marche (walking poles).
The stair risers and treads show their age with different heights. Going up and down the stairs has the drunken effect of being in an amusement park’s funny house. From the back yard ledge the snow capped Pyrenees can be seen for the first time. Unfortunately my iPhone can’t capture the Pyrenees.
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 11, April 17
14 miles, 103 miles total
Altitude: 1,263 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 45-62F
Saint-Come d’Olt
The community oven in l’Estrade has been turned into hospitality shelter offering coffee, tea, or orange juice for pilgrims. Our coffee was interrupted by two farmers driving cows down the hamlet lane.
The Camino provides. The web of connections expands. Having gotten rid of my “heavy” coins, “Pilgrim Corsica” donated a euro for me. Having muscle pain, I pulled out a couple of Advil from my pack and handed them to him. In turn, “Pilgrim Corsica” having met a pilgrim with knee issues shares one Advil with him.
Linda Scandore 