bodnar-mullaney.ca

Day 8

Written by

Bruno Bodnar

in

To Lectoure, 19km

Friday, Sept 27, 2024

Turns out to be 22km

Forecast for today is “Rain 35% “
I think that’s different than Canadian forecasts. In Canada it seems to be that 35% means there is a small chance that it will rain. Here it means that it is GOING to rain, 35% of the time, and that 35% is probably not while you’re sleeping in a nice warm and dry hotel or seated inside a restaurant enjoying a warm meal. No it means while you’re outside, hiking, and it’s going to turn the fields and trails to a slick, thick, sticky, heavy mud 🙁

And so it went.

The sun tries to break through the clouds. The clouds won.
Still smiling, just before the rain starts in earnest!
Muddy trails run along a perfectly good road, but the way we’ve seen people drive here…getting a little muddy is preferable.
Entering the village of Castet-Arrouy
Finding refuge from the wind and rain under the shelter of the local church. It’s noon and the a bar across the street that is packed with workers, but the proprietor offered us this place, and blankets.

The small bar-restaurant we can upon was crowded with workers inside having lunch, smoking, drinking beer, and having a lively time out of the rain. The owner offered to make us sandwiches and drinks and bring them over to the alcove of the church where he had set up tables and chairs and blankets.

A roof over our head and 3 walls to protect us from the wind and rain. The blankets were a nice touch.
The French know how to make the most amazing bread. But it’s not gluten free.
Enjoying a non-alcoholic beverage, A Coke. It seems that the Pepsi company got into some kind of tiff with the countries of the EU and you won’t see Pepsi available anywhere!
The grassy fields and muddy trails.
Entering Lectoure
Directions to a questionable eating establishment
Our 4 star hotel room to tonight.

Tonight we stay at a an authentic 4 star hotel. Not the king of place that regularly welcomes wet and muddy hiking pilgrims, but I booked on line so they didn’t know.

It also has a spa and indoor pool, but…ask us to explain about the Speedo bathing suit requirement. 🤣

The hallway to our room

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