A farmer's and flea market was setting up in the town square. That gave me a chance to buy two apples. France doesn't have the waxed, pristine-looking "red delicious" apples that you find in the supermarket. Rather, they have smaller, round ones, that simply taste great.
There has never been a hiking departure from a town easier than Moissac. All you had to do was follow the canal towpath due west for 10 miles. Nothing could be simpler or more beautiful. The garden club of Moissac must have been preparing for my visit because the towpath was loaded with yellow and white flowers, as well as trees lining the towpath.
This brought back memories of 2005, when I biked the C&O Canal from Cumberland, Maryland to Georgetown (Washington, D.C.). The C&O Canal is more historic, though it's no longer in working order.
I stopped and took an early lunch break, just to admire God's handiwork in creation. I had my usual: dried sausage and a quarter-baguette. I cut the sausage and the bread with my "Leatherman" -- I knew that it would come in handy for something!
Here are sone more photos of the canal towpath.
I prayed a rosary amidst the joy and beauty of being able to walk this gorgeous Saturday morning. And of course the added bonus was that because it was a canal, It was flat as a pancake. It was the easiest stretch of the entire Camino in France. I didn't even break a sweat!
But all good things must end, no? The first 9 miles were like heaven... the final 9 miles would be like... well, you get the picture.
After leaving the towpath, the midday heat set in. Then it was time to head for the hills. The town of Auvillar was especially steep. I don't know how people can walk in these towns built on such steep hills. The towns are beautiful and all, but the hike leaves you breathless.
I'm really glad that I came upon these directional signs, as I was really confused along the way.
During the hike, I came across two Germans on the route, Margret and Christian. They were about my age and spoke English (I hadn't heard English for days). They were going as far as I was.
After a really long walk, I came to the town of Saint-Antoine-du-Pont-d'Arratz. The town's name just means, "St. Anthony of the Bridge of Arratz (which is a river). There was the gîte for the night.
The gîte offers a meal through a restaurant about 100 yards away. There were about seven pilgrims at the gîte and we all had a great meal together at the same table, speaking both English and French (and a little German).
Following dinner, a storm rose up like the one on "The Wizard of Oz". The wind was howling and blowing. I think I saw Auntie 'Em head into the storm cellar! Anyway, we all got indoor safely, but we heard the wind during the night. It howled as much as at the "House in the Wilderness" last month.
All-in-all, a great day.
BTW, in case you were wondering, France is really into nuclear power.
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