Lectoure-La Romieu 19km Total:64km/490kmUnfortunately my back is causing me trouble again and I need to rest again. Today I took a taxi and arrived in La Romieu at 8:30 in the morning. Gord is walking the route and we will meet up for lunch. At this point I have no idea whether or not I will be able to walk in a few days, but ... Read More
LectourBlogging is not as easy as it looks. First I am typing on an iPod and then if the wifi is not strong it deletes everything! I rewrote the last one six times and each time it was shorter and less interesting. I should let my sister write my blog. Her e-mails are way better. Here is just a sample:"Hi everyone. The ever so helpful ... Read More
Our Bedroom Window in LectoureMiradoux-Lectoure 15.5km. Total:55kmMy friend Maude was teasing me and suggesting that with all this time to write blogs I wasn't walking very much. She is on to me. Even though we are starting very slowly my shins and hips have been begging for a break.Lectoure is a wonderful place for an extra night. It's a fortified medieval town with roots stretching ... Read More
Auvillar -Miradoux 17km. Total:39 Accueil pelerin La Pause Verte, MiradouxWe woke up at five and because the forecast was predicting a scary 37 degrees we departed before dawn. We had to stay on the road for the first four kilometres walking by moonlight until the sun peeked up. It was wonderful and cool.We arrived in Miradoux at eleven am just as the heat was starting ... Read More
Malause-Auvillar. 9km.Gite communalToday was a shorter day - just 9 km up to the beautiful hilltop town of Auvillar. I am still trying to break my back in slowly. We are staying at the Gite Communal, which is as nice as any five star hotel. Our room has a view of the surrounding valley including the cooling towers of a nuclear power plant - ah, ... Read More
Moissac to Malause 13kmGite le Grenier du LevantThis morning we caught a train from Toulouse to Moissac, where we ended our camino last year. The route was the tow path for the Midi Canal which has been converted to a bicycle route between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It was a lovely cool day, so although we enjoyed the shade trees all the way along, ... Read More
Toulouse is a wonderful place to recover from jet-lag, especially when your French friends keep showing up full of fun and entertainment. First our friend Beatrice met up with us and we had a lovely day reconnecting and sampling the finest local wines. Today we were whisked away from the city heat by our friend Maud for a picnic on the shady banks of a ... Read More
Ok I am starting to unpack and repack far too much. It was simpler in the 11th century. Of course I am not sure how or where they carried their Ipod, camera, and pound of toiletries.Camino Clothing Essentials:· light weight fleece· pair of zip off pants ( quick dry)· 2 synthetic or merino T-shirts ( Merino or Synthetic: to stink or not to stink?)· 1 town shirt (merino long sleeve)· 3 ... Read More
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Lao TzuBut some times waiting for that first step is in itself a long journey. We fly out of Victoria on Thursday and I can't wait to get on that plane.
Alison Raju begins her guide book, The way of St James, with the following dedication, " For all those who begin their journey as a long-distance walk and end it as a pilgrimage." When I first read this prior to heading off to France, I liked the sentiment, but I knew that it didn't apply to me. I was not heading out on this trip ... Read More