Le Puy Camino – via Podiensis: Montreal du Gers to Eauze

May 3, 2023

Today was day number 34 on the “way.” Most of the walk today was along a dirt track and via a rail/trail bike and hike route. It would total about 16km and was fairly flat which was a good thing given my sore toe! I did not take very many pictures on this section. I think my focus was definitely on my toe – and my desire to get to Eauze and get my boots off!

The countryside was littered with many vineyards. Much of the day was characteristic of the photographs below.

I stopped for lunch in the small village of Lamothe. Le Mille Bornes in Lamothe is both lodging for pilgrims as well as a cafe. I treated myself to a fruit smoothie to compliment my packed snacks.

After leaving Lamothe, the dirt track turns into a converted rail trail. Much of the trail was paved and traversed through a mix of wooded terrain and open country. I admit that at times I wondered if I had missed a turn because the rail trail did not have as many of the familiar red and white GR65 markings that I was used to seeing. I did backtrack once for a short distance but decided to just forge ahead and trust my instinct. The sighting of other pilgrims convinced me I had made the right choice.

Our lodging in Eauze was the Gîte En Chemin. Once I arrived, I dropped by bags and went in search of a pharmacy for some Epsom Salts so I could soak my inflamed toe and potentially ward off further injury. Apparently, not all small pharmacies in France keep this on hand. I asked in the pharmacy and showed photographs of what I wanted but I had no luck finding it. I ended up buying coarse salts at a grocery as a replacement.

Our host at the lodging gave me a plastic tray to use to soak my foot and her cute little dog kept me company in the backyard while I gave my toe a good bath!

Our accommodation was a small dormatory-style gîte with communal washrooms. It was simple but comfortable.

I loved how our host used old hangers to make a clothes rake!

The backyard was a cozy, natural-looking garden with little statues and knick-knacks.

After soaking my foot and assessing the situation, Susan and I determined that it was in my best interests to take a day off from walking. We decided to have a relaxing morning and get a taxi to our next destination – Nogaro. Of course, that meant skipping a section of the “way” but I was fine with that. I went into this adventure with the full knowledge that stuff happens and I would not obsess over making sure I walked every bit of the camino.