September 10, 2010

Early am very Keats, cleared and a lot warmer later.

Unclean socks. Still wheezing but not as much.

Slacker pilgrim had a great walk yesterday along the Canal between two rivers, Tarn and Garonne, although some confusion in the sacking party over which river was which (canal obvious).

Path flat for a change so was able to make decent time to Auvillar. Only wildlife was squashed hedgehog, which we don’t see in NA (that is, squashed or 3-D).

Now in departemente of Gers, which is also Gascony.

Today was hugely agricultural. Took taxi to Miradoux, then hiked over hill and dale and field to Lectoure (naturally on a huge hill). Close to 10 miles. Most of the land I passed by or stomped (frequently) on was cultivated down to the last meter. Not much livestock visible except the occasional Xtreme free range chicken (well, pigeons). Big crop is sunflowers. This time of year most looking sadly down.

Also saw what looked like (high bush?) blueberries, but wasn’t sure enough to sample. Perhaps a gardener in the crowd can identify them. Tomato, ficelle and young cantal for road snack. Tomato not that great. Lectoure appears in the distance after a certain point on the road. It looks about five minutes away, but actually takes over an hour to reach the center. Pilgrims find this quite common en route. Cathedral and spa town; home of Armagnac. Good size hospital to go with the spa (thermal baths for the cure). No laundry in town center–very disappointing because certain items now quite unpleasant. Lots of British here. Some chat about hotel having Grand Toque chef. Tomorrow, rest day and laundry search.

Shout Out to Herb: here’s a fifteenth-to-nineteenth century church, St Blandine in Castet-something. Good paint.