Marciac to Barran, 34 km
The ongoing effort to have reasonably spaced night stops continues to be a challenge. Today it meant being a little creative in order to keep the daily total from spiralling out of control. Looking at the map, it was a 3-4-5 triangle with the road being the 5 (actually it was more like a 10, but still better than the 6+8!). The road was relatively quiet, so I made some good time after a reasonably early start – coordinated so I could grab a fresh baguette and a coffee at the first cafe to open at 0730. The baguette was definitely worth it. The coffee was dismal.
The landscape was attractive without being spectacular – although the early morning view of the Pyrenees continues to amaze me. If you were walking the other way (the ‘normal’way) you’d be wondering if you were ever going to get to the mountains! The other thing that intrigues me is just how much of the landscape is given over to woodlands. Right next to areas ‘under the plough’ are these extensive wooded areas. It’s awesome.
The countryside is dotted with fantastic old ‘mansions’, and many are not being maintained it seems. I guess the cost of upkeep is just too great. This one had a history posted in English, which is unusual:
Tonight I’m in the little village of Barran, sharing the 4 bed municipal albergue with a charming and funny French pelerin. Yesterday I briefly met ‘Anthony’ in Marciac. He immediately vented about paying for shared accommodation where everyone snored and said he preferred camping so that he could be alone. Curiously, he was still at a bar 3 hours later yacking it up with the locals. He is walking in the same direction as I am, but I’m hoping we don’t end up on the same itinerary! Pierre, tonight’s roomie is the opposite. Communication is challenging, but we have had some interesting conversation (if you can call a lack of a common language interesting!) After drinking the wine a previous guest had left in the fridge, this was his comment (I got him to talk to Google translate as I was at a loss to understand)
2saunter 