Do I remember where I started this morning or where I’ve been today… Not without concentrating extremely hard! It’s not because I’m intoxicated either, even though I should be. It’s more likely the fact I’m another year older and so my very very poor memory I already had has just got an ounce worse?!
So, after conferring with the guide book and my credentials I remember I started the day in Lectoure a very pretty place that’s roughly 35km back. I’m now in Condom… Yeah I thought there’d be a few sniggers from us Brits! I had a anxiety attack just wondering how to pronounce the flippin’ place.
Today started off under a thick blanket of cloud, I supposedly can thank Anette for that as it’s one of the things she prayed for last night! Despite the cloud cover there was an unmistakeable heat but also a refreshing wind! I needed it today as I fear I may have got a little sunstroke the last two days. (Also I’ve been bitten to buggary, back, arms, legs, feet, hands & head.
Like yesterday today has been broken down into smaller stages, lots of road walking through different villages. It helps to break the monotony sometimes, that’s right even walking across beautiful landscapes can sometimes feel tiring if you’re feeling low, or just exhausted.
Again, like the last two days, it seems we’ve lost most of the holiday ramblers, now it’s just pilgrims in front and behind. Like a slow moving caravan of people marching across the rolling hills. I arrive in Condom by about 1.30pm, I should point out I had breakfast this morning (shock I know) and had left Lectoure by 7.15am.
As I entered Condom, I found a gite almost immediately. As I had passed most of the pilgrims I knew on the way I decided here was a good a place as any. (I had considered a hotel as a treat but decided otherwise for financial reasons). After dumping my bags, I decided to walk into town, to see if I could find some insoles for my boots and a few other bits. As I followed the signs for the ‘Centre Ville’ I had a sense someone was watching me, I turned to see a Volvo driving up, my pa’s Volvo to be exact?! They pulled in and I questioned them, dad had come up with the idea this morning, it took them three hours to drive down here but they wanted to have lunch with me! I should have realised when they text me in the morning, wishing me a happy birthday and also asking where I was aiming for today…
It was lovely to see them, we had lunch, found a sports shop for my insoles, took a drive out to Larresingle, a deviation of my route, which I no longer needed to walk (phew), then after a quick stop at a pharmacy to get more suncream (factor 50+), they dropped me off and set off back themselves. (So thank you ma & pa).
I also saw I’d had more donations on the UNICEF site so thank you all, and for the birthday wishes on Facebook and twitter…
I even ate at the gite tonight, that’s three meals in one day…?!!
But I’m adding another picture of my feet, I don’t know if you’ll see but I’ve finally noticed today my left foot is swollen…? Don’t know why, but it explains the pain!!!
Goodnight & god bless.