I finally got on the GR about 10:30 and it was already getting hot. The stage out of Moissac goes to a town down river, but for some reason the GR went up in the hills and then back down to the river. It was hot, sticky and mud that was starting to dry out. I hopped on the road for a bit after some hiking up and steep down to the small town Auvillar where I had lunch at 1:30. Feeling like I wanted to make up for the time lost this morning and feeling ok, I started the next stage and made a reservation at a Gîte Les Capucins in Lectoure about 18 miles away. It was a ride that just wouldn't end. I ran out of energy about 10 miles away and ran out of water about 3 miles away. It wasn't that far, but it was just up, down, up, down that wore me out with the sun beating down on me. It was about 8 hours of riding today in 90 degree heat.
The good news is I made it after a bit of yelling "Come on!" when the next hill appeared with the mileage that seemed to be shrinking in slow motion. The Gîte I booked is really nice and comfortable. It amazing what a drink of water and a shower will do for your outlook on life to say nothing of pizza and rosé for dinner.
Tom emailed me and suggested that part of my pilgrimage might be about being alone. No problem with that today. No one except a few pilgrims this morning. I guess it was good day for the soul doing a bit of screaming and cursing in the middle of nowhere.
Good thoughts for Rajiv tonight.
Buen Camino
Dave
Cute room! Sounds like a good ending to a long day.
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