The little things ...

Dixième jour - Friday 26th June, Condom - Montreal-du-Gers - 21.7 klms (running total approx 185.9)

It's the little things which make a difference, like clouds in the sky, coffee and ice-cream in the town square, air-conditioned room on arrival ...

The day went fully according to plan. Up early-ish, breakfast at 6:30, depart the accommodation by 7:15 (tricky that, as our delightful hostess was very chatty), off to the boulangerie for trail supplies and then hit the road at 7:42am.

The 17.3 klm planned day turned into almost 22 after allowing for a slightly missed turn into Larressingle, and a bit of general wandering, but as I said yesterday I think we've hit our straps now, and the klms just seem to disappear into our dust.

Not far from Condom is Larressingle. It's off the main track, so you have to deviate. Or in my case miss the first turn-off, almost miss the second, and double back a bit. But well worth it. A tiny little village, these days fairly obviously mainly a tourist destination. Its ramparts and moat are still very much intact (the moat now grassed - no crocodiles or other beasts) and the ancient chateau now simply a skeletal frame of a grander yesteryear. I'm so glad we diverted.

The rest of the day was a wander through the countryside. I'm really loving it. Not much more to say about today, just a few piccies ...

I liked this sturdy old machinery shed. It's probably older than any built construction in Australia

A four-legged friend

Previously Roman, I believe

Not far ...

An ancient church graveyard is as good a place for a break as any. Had to bring a bench out from the church 😉

Patterns

The arcades around Montréal's central plaza.

I did want to add some elements to yesterday's post re Castelnau though, because I skipped over some important bits of detail. The town played a significant role in the French resistance, with a few notable figures being the British spy George Reginald Starr, who went by the codename Colonel Hilaire, and the local leader Jeanne Robert, who was later awarded the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour, France's highest award). The local school is named after her. She lived to 103; quite a woman and story.

More of Castelnau's story can be found here. Whilst these stories are now over 8 decades old, I find them fascinating to "experience" as one walks through the towns.

Tomorrow is another ~20 klms day (not quite sure as we're again diverting to visit some Roman ruins). Until then...