A morning view doesn’t get much better than this, and it and it was the sight that greeted us today from our balcony room at Saint Pe. It was a truly memorable stay with our generous and interesting host, Frederic.
Neil set out on his own today, while Sarah had a
more leisurely start - Frederic had offered to bring her by car to a meeting point with Neil towards the end of the day’s stage. Which, given the length and steepness of the ascending and descending involved in the first 15km or so, was a very good thing!!
Although a lot of height was gained and lost, the views were close in.
A shell of a church appeared in the woods - half the floor was exposed rafters and there was a six foot pit underneath it!
We rendezvoused in Loures-Barousse, a small
town about 4km before the end of the stage. The final section towards Saint Bertrand was soon dominated by the view of the Cathedral dwarfing the village beneath it.
It’s the high point of another walled medieval town.
We caught up with Andy on our way in and enjoyed our beer on this hot afternoon.
It took us awhile to find our pilgrim hostel for tonight but with some local help we made our way to this unpretentious building which turns out to have been a hospital since the 16th century.
There are four of us here tonight and we have been cared for by Marie - the aunt of the local mayor, who keeps this place supplied with food (there is no village shop) and has reappeared a couple times bearing extra bread, bananas and checking we are ok. Once again we’ve cooked and shared a simple pasta meal, and will have an ample breakfast to send us on our way. Sarah is feeling much better, though still a little cold-y, so it’s good that tomorrow’s stage is manageable and the weather cooler.
Thank you for all the well wishes after yesterday’s post - we are loving all our encounters and feeling very held by this way.
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Well done on improvising your way through. Seems like the opposite of Spain: there, the accommodation was spartan, but cafes and bars were to hand. Good luck for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGood to see Sarah’s smile. Dragging aching limbs and a headache up steep hills Is heavy going.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear that Sarah accepted some lifts & is resting a little more. Thank you both for the fantastic photos and your introduction to your fellow pilgrims and gite providers. xx
ReplyDeleteHi Neil and Sarah, I've just been pilgriming near a week with you - lying flat on my back 'catching up'. Quite extraordinary, all of it. Particularly touched by the beauty of care you are receiving and the beauty of variable landscapes. I'm really glad you didn't tumble down quite the long way! Hoping your cold, Sarah, and the catch you' Neil brambles recede. I'll gaze out my window at hints of spring being awed by you both. Carol
ReplyDeletePS I'm not being super lazy..Gardening! After days of pouring rain - again. Such joy but tiring. Herb seeds I was sent will be planted when the beds have setled. The extra seeds I'm posting to Jane F. First night in her new home last night! Sheer delight seeing her at meditation this morn!!.Today Simon did heaps. He dug a goodly hole, I prepared it and planted the Grevillea, gift of my Hunter valley niece, Jen, with me last week.it will be ongoing joy too. Just a bit of domestic and meditation Oz news...
ReplyDeleteSo pleased to hear that you are feeling somewhat better, Sarah, and that you accepted the gift of a ride. Well done! That beer sure looks refreshing and medicinal, as well. Safe travels for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSo much, so many to hold you!! How wonderful. Live Deb
ReplyDeleteWhat a great picture of you both and so happy Sarah is feeling a lot better. What a blessing your host could bring you to 4km distance of the end, and well done for accepting it. And well done Neil for going on foot anyway. 💕
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