Is there any question The Walk was worth the effort? With 28 residents, could the pilgrims out number the locals?
“Trail Blazers,” volunteers who enhance the markings along The Way by attaching red and white candy-cane stripped flagging tape to trees.
They kindly gave me “first-hand” information how to stage the coming days. It’s the Camino. Help is there.
Pilgrim who continue are offered gifts by pilgrims who have finished their walk. My seven French women gave me lunch, mole skin, and a petite bottle of Lancôme Miracle Magic Perfume. How French! How yummy!
Where I lay my head…
The seven French women reserve a week each year to walk a segment of the Camino. Five ladies walk with guidebooks in hand and daypacks on their back. While two ladies take the mini-bus carrying suitcases and shop for the daily picnic which mysteriously arrive mid-day on The Way.
These ladies fill the day with laughter and make me feel most welcomed. It really doesn’t matter we don’t speak the same language.
Desiring to savor my moments on the Camino, I’ve decided to abort my agenda in favor of a slower pace, less mileage, and more relaxation. Rather than be driven by a destination, I’ll make the most of the day.
Looks like I’ve become the company of eight French nurses who hike a week’s segment of the Camino each year (I haven’t done the math to figure out how many years that will take) and two German women who travel with a Canadian man
Toulouse may have always had the most pilgrim interest along the Arles Route to Santiago because of its numerous churches, convents, monasteries and hostelries/hospitals.
Saint Semin was the first bishop of Toulouse and was martyred in 250 AD by being dragged by bulls through the city streets. His body, along with 128 saints, lie in the Basilique Saint-Semin. Completed in C14th, it’s the largest Romanesque church in France.
Devine providence? None other than two of the French-Three-Some appear!
Yesterday’s rain washed clothes began the day dry, only to be laundered by today’s rains.
The Camino provides…The French-Three-Some and I separate company today. As they ends their walk, Françoise offered the standard goods: Compeeds (blister treatment) and zip-lock bags. After two rains in two days, she insisted the loan of her rain poncho. Through I have a backpack cover, Gortex rain jacket and paints, yesterday’s rain totally soaked my pack. A poncho better protects the bag and walker; albeit, hotter and more weight in my pack.
Treasures along the Canal du Midi.
Seven hours we walk along the canal, flat with dry dirt under feet.
Linda Scandore 