Montégut to Giscaro, 30.6 km Is it a sign-eating tree? The first two hours, before the sun became blazingly hot, was exclusively on forest paths - a great start to the day, capped off by arriving in a tiny hamlet where the owner of the auberge (in this instance, a country restaurant) was sitting outside … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 16: This old house
Tag: via Tolosana
Via Tolosana day 15: All for one and one for all
Barran to Montégut, 24 km Count d'Artagnan (actually Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan) who was the inspiration for d'Artagnan in Alexandre Dumas's The Three Musketeers. The fact that there were four of them is a minor detail. If a picture says a thousand words, then this is my longest post, ever😀 My roomie wanted … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 15: All for one and one for all
Via Tolosana day 14: on the road again…
Marciac to Barran, 34 km I'm sure any reasonable offer would take it! 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 … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 14: on the road again…
Via Tolosana day 13: all that jazz
Maubourguet to Marciac, 18.5 km The mountains were, sadly, mostly at my back. With a modest distance to cover, and it being a stat holiday, I was in no rush to vacate my modest cabin in the Maubourguet campsite. The path was not that inspiring today, but having been raised on a farm, there is … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 13: all that jazz
Via Tolosana day 12: the early bird only just got the worm
Anoye to Maubourguet, 23 km Pinkish Pyrenees The travails (to be French about it) of walking in France on Sundays, when if anything is open at all, it closes at lunchtime. My destination of Maubourguet was at least a big enough town to have a grocery store, and Google maps assured me that the Spar … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 12: the early bird only just got the worm
Via Tolosana day 11: Il a fait beau aujourd’hui. Enfin
Lescar to Anoye, 35 km More than just hills! I set out at 0815 in glorious sunshine - although it was chilly. Definitely time to switch out the toque and gloves from the quick access pocket in my sac à dos and replace them with sunscreen and sunglasses! Sadly the route did not match the … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 11: Il a fait beau aujourd’hui. Enfin
Via Tolosana day 10: packing a ponch (o)
Oloron (Lindtville) to Lescar, 31.5 km Departing Oloron - the Cathedral of Sainte Marie in the distance. You will perhaps note in the above photo that the streets are dry, and they stayed that way for the entire day. The poncho was packed, and at one point I even broke out in a sweat, as … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 10: packing a ponch (o)
Via Tolosana day 9: free chocolate
Sarrance to Oloron-Sainte-Marie, 20.5 km The church at the Sarrance Monastery. Looking very sad in the morning gloom. Another poncho day, but at least the deluge heard on the monastery roof last night had eased to heavy drizzle. The weather had, however, made the trails rather treacherous - especially the first section. Care was needed, … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 9: free chocolate
Via Tolosana day 8: poncho time
Urdos to Sarrance, 26 km Despite stepping out fully ponchoed against the deluge, I considered myself fortunate to have come over the pass yesterday. There's no way I would be attempting it in today's weather. The two Mexican pèlerins who I shared the albergue with were busy consulting the bus timetable to get over the … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 8: poncho time
Via Tolosana day 7: taking a pass on the trail
Canfranc Estachion to Urdos, 20.6 km (including 400m up and 800m down!) The view from the top. I walked on the road from where it appears in the middle distance. The walk up to the pass was mostly pleasant. I was happy to leave Canfranc Estachion, where all the people I interacted with seemed less … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 7: taking a pass on the trail
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