Arthez-de-Bèarn
It was dark this morning. I put my night lights on my forehead, and hit to Arthez. I passed my first turn. It was not the street, but a hidden small alley. It took me to a beautiful lake. The moon shone on it that I could see the fish jumping in the water. The path took all around the lake. Then I started ascending to the top of a hill in the wood. An hour later I was out of the woods, and the sun was up. I put my light in the front pocket of my backpack, and continue. There was a field with a new crop. I could not determined what has been planted, but the sprinklers were on. It look like a green ocean in front of me.
I was expecting a easy trail today, but it was not there were hill 80 degrees up. I just applied my turbo speed. I finished 30 km in 5 hours. Now that my feet are back to normal the walls are more fun.
The first small town I passed by was Louvigny. I think it is Louisville in French, haha! They had a beautiful community center and church. There was a young women cleaning the flower baskets from the Mairie office.
A Walker passed me by this point, I saw him leaving a Gitè 30 minutes from the village I had started. He looked a little disturbed. He was walking holding hands like in prayer, and will speak to himself. A young German man came out from another gitè, two km forward. He was a fast walker. He passed us both. At one point the man introduced himself as Manuel, I told my name, and he said: are you the one that walked more that 50 km in one day? Gossip run on the way! I asked how did he know. He told me that everyone was talking about me. I just walked from Decazeville to Cajarc in one day, and please don’t asked how. Cecile is my witness, she was lost all morning, and was coming behind me from Figeac.
The man started walking very fast and disappeared. I am more in peace walking by myself. I like to take time to pray in solitude, think about the church, my parishioners, my issues, and the world.
In between, Uzan and Pomps, France there was a large corn field. It was so peaceful. When from the middle of nowhere the man jumped in front of me. OMG, I gave the biggest jump of my life, and said couple good words. He did not apologize of all. He just said that he was meditating in the corn field, and when we arrive to the next village he will offer me the best cup of tea that I would have. He said: it was high tea. Really? I think he was high, high! Now that I remember, I saw him three days ago sitting under a tree in John meditation position, but I am kind of custom to see this on the way.
It was very kind today passing by a village, where a resident put a tent, and offered coffee, tea and cake to the pelerins. It was my breakfast. The cake was corn cake with chocolate. It was divine.
Arriving to Arthez, I could see a large chemical plant in The Valley, miles away. I look in my google map. It is the city of Lacq. It goes for kms, and take the whole valley.
I have a nice view from my bed tonight, the steeple of the Church. Which remind me why I am here!
I went to the local pub to have a flavor of this village. I can tell you everyone is so happy. I am sure everyone is related. They kiss each other in every cheek, very normal in France. Well, I have to go to cook my dinner now. I think I am 4 day from Spain now.