It's been a busy couple of days as we transited from Porto to here via Toulouse. But we are here again, back on the Le Puy GR65 and heading (tomorrow) for St. Jean Pied de Port! There have been a few bumps along the way and some fun, but we made it. For the record a short recap of events will follow. But first the last sunset in Porto from our Hostel window looking west to the Atlantic.
The next morning we took our time, a luxury! Then it was off to the airport and on the way out on board our excellent EasyJet flight (David) we passed directly over old town Porto. 
A very interesting old city that we grew quickly to like. A bit of an unexpected treat to return so soon, even just overnight.
As you'd often expect, we did see lots from up high! I believe this is Burgos on the Camino Frances.
There were some amazing storm cells after crossing the Pyrennes.
Managed to avoid the mess and before we knew it we were finding our way into Toulouse with two hours before our train departed. Having never been there we were not familiar with the city, but we decided to make a dash for a book store to try and get a copy of the MMDodo guide book. Our first effort in the middle of the city proved fruitless...sold out! However, we pressed onwards 
and with the help of a few strangers
we managed to find a place to get a SIM card for our phone and some phone time on it for France. But still no book! Continued onwards, but we were fast running out of time.
We had a store name and a street name provided at the last place and the door guard, but the street eluded us. Finally we found it and dashed inside. We explained the book we were looking for and happily it was in stock! Paid for and now moving quickly back towards the metro...always time for a photo:) Hurry up Geoff! Down into the metro we went and there was our train door shutting!
Geoff jumps for it pack and all and somehow the door forces open. I think the door is staying open, but it forces shut on my pack and then Annemarie is at the door forcing it open...and she's in! Well done and full of adrenaline! Many surprised faces on the metro...oops. We are still laughing about it as we got off at the train station and run to get our tickets from the machine. We find the right platform and get on the train and away it goes. Not much time to spare. Relief all round.
But we are on our way to Agen. We pass through a number of towns including Moissac which we walked through last year. Getting closer!
We arrive in Agen and find our way to the hotel, the place we stayed in last year when we abandoned our walk, and then out to an excellent crepeire where we had a wonderful meal to refresh ourselves as there'd been no lunch today.
So good!
And the chocolate mousse was amazing! Almost as good as Annemarie's? She promises to make me a pot of it when we get home so that I can carefully assess both:)
Little or no wifi last night made it extremely difficult to make our first reservation for the gite accommodation. So downstairs to get some telephone help. Oh no, the area is completely booked out as there is a major festival event on in Nogafo! Exhausted and frustrated we go to bed very late. Early on I wake and sort a new plan. We go out for a typical French breakfast and sort things out. Options, wait until Monday and force walk much of the route, or skip the next three stages as it's hopeless accommodation wise and move on. Then start a 7 day walk of about 180 kms to St Jean Pied de Port from past the festival congestion. Obviously we took the second option. We moved to the bus stop and picked up the right bus, whew! Had it all to ourselves...a stretch limo if you like!
We passed through Condom where I wrote the blog post Failure In Condom when my stress fracture forced us off the GR...definitely didn't want to start from here!
And we moved on through Eauze
And various other towns
where we saw a few pelerin walking the roads. We wonder how busy it will be this late in the season. We have a nice lunch and talk with a helpful soul in the TI? We will go back shortly to try and get our first few gites sorted out. 
As I said a busy day, but we expect to head off again tomorrow...walking somewhere!
Bon Chemin!
Well, congratulations on being lucky and flexible! One you had nothing to do with, the other is the result of being an experienced traveller (among other things). Now, on to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port!
ReplyDeleteBon chemin!
Ken
easyJet and excellent are mutually exclusive in my opinion...
ReplyDeleteThe SNCF sign immediately brought to mind that little series of notes that they play at the station before announcements...refer to David Gilmour's "Rattle That Lock" if you would like it to really stick in your brain!
From your story, I would recommend getting a better watch!!!
Enjoy the next part of your adventure.
Actually, they have improved their services since the early days. You now have priority boarding (for a price) and assigned seating. Gone are the days of first come first serve festival seating. That was like the Wild Wild West! We carried on our packs no problem. Yup, I was listening to that song today...takes me to France every time I hear it:). What's wrong with my watch? It's brand new! We made it in time:)
Deletewell...they couldn't have gotten TOO much worse...! (only way to was up).
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