Day 14

Nogaro to Azacq-Arriziquest.

Another fantastic day of riding. Less bike pushing and less rough, loose rock.

We are in a part of France that is mostly Corn field. In places where they have not harvested, there is not much to see. The tall Corn stalks make it like riding through a hallway.

There is still a fair abount of vine most likely for Armagnac. We have passed more corn than grape, but the vines are shorter and give a better view.

We started out around 10:15, late by all pilgrims standards. A quick stop to shop and for the stamp at the Office of Tourism that did not open until 10:00
A quick stop at the Cathedral and then on the road.

We came across large groups of walkers all day long, some spread out and some walking all together across the street.

Smooth going for most of the day. We finished at a charming hotel, owned and run by the Chef holding the bottle. An amazing dinner of Stuffed Trout.

Flaming Creme Brulee and a Snifter of The Best Armagnac I have ever tasted. A fantastic finish to a fantastic day!

First Place Winner in the category of "Amazing Mothers" This gal and her 5 children are walking the total length, non stop to Santiago. I can tell by their smiles that they will make it!

Day 13

OK, so it is possible to have Duck for breakfast, lunch and dinner here. There was "Potted Duck" at breakfast, Duck spread at lunch, on the road at a snack stand and the "Duck Burger" for dinner, seen at the bottom of this post.
The riding today was great. Never a time when we had to push the bike. We did how ever walk for a bit, but it was just for a break out of the saddle.
We had a long section of railroad bed. A little damp at first, but a good clip for the last 3 miles. We remember this section from 2002.
The Chemin is much better marked then what it was when we first did it. We both seem to thing that some of the route has changed because the number of Pilgrims now. Barb seems to hink that possibly the land owners just don't want so many people going across their pastures with livestock grazing. Who would?

We had a fair amount of shade today. Nice to be out of the sun and to just keep rolling.

The Duck Burger. Ground Duck made into a paddy and grilled. Just Amazing!

Day 12

Saint Antoine to Condom

Cloudy with a chance of rain for today. We had a small breakfast of coffee and cereal. Headed away from one of the nicest places we have ever stayed in Europe. One of my favorite things was I was thinking because it was a Farm Hostel, I expected the worse. Far from true.

Rolling hills with big views. Up and down all day. Not too high and never too low. We were most of the day around 500' above sea level. Far different from the beginning of the ride when our advantage altitude was around 3000'.

To give you an idea of what "Rolling Hills" here in South Western France, Here is todays profile.

Farm country for the most of it open enough to see villages off in the distance.

We reached the village of Lectoure for lunch. Lectoure has a huge cathedral that can be seen for about 4 miles before you get to town. Huge for a population of 3,700.

We are in the region of Armagnac and foie gras. Its even on the menu at Mcdonalds. They even have a McDuck Sandwich on a Baguette. (Kidding)
We were told by a fellow tourist that we will be riding in one of the best area's for food. We seem to think so too.

We saw our first Duck Farm today. Huge. Far enough off the road to see the whole thing and about 500 ducks, at least.

We got into Condom, (The town) early. Enough time to get cleaned up and a nap before heading out to look around.
This is an amazingly old town. Most of the buildings seem to me at least 300 years old.
A port because of the river, known for Armagnac. Our Hotel tonight was built in the 1700's.

Dinner was a walk across to the other side of the river. First with a stop at a wine and beer bar. Small, cute. They seemed to have an underground passage to the river bank for guests to sip along side.

There was a huge group of Bus Tourists the started off dinner with a song. We Loved it! We were not so sure how all the other guests felt about but no one was going to clap.

A lovely walk back across the river to our Hotel, we joked and laughed how I was never going to see our place of stay again with Barbara's "shortcut".

Here are some photos from today:

Heading out on the walkway from the farm hotel

Another cute town seen off in the distance

Tha Cathedral at Lectoure

Say My Name!

The Duck Burger. This was so good!