Toulouse - The End

Saint Stephen's Cathedral is also known as the Cathédrale Saint-Etienne and the Cathedral of Toulouse. The Cathedral is a national monument and is the seat of the Archbishop of Toulouse. It has been listed since 1862 as a Monument Historique. The Cathedral is a gothic-Romanesque structure dating back to the 13th century and built over several centuries, combining two types of gothic architecture. This was one of my favorite cathedrals I have visited in Europe. Quite grand and magnificent.

 

The main altar was gorgeous.

It features rose windows and has fifteen unique chapels and an ambulatory, or 'walking space' on the east end of the church, behind the high altar. I took photos of my favorites. This is Sainte Jeanne d'Arc

Saint Pierre is the last name of my sister, Sandi, and her husband, Dave. I always think that this brings special prayers for them.

And my personal favorite is Saint Jacques, also known as Saint James in Spain, so there is Camino de Saint James in Spain and the Chemin de Saint Jacque in France.

This was my favorite of the stained glass windows.

Thank you all for your encouragement and for coming along with me. I leave you with this journey's lesson:

There are angels among us, not always recognizable in everyday life as we scurry about hither and yon. Life's busyness blinds me to these special people who walk quietly at my side. They are easier to recognize when lost in a foreign land, whether a metaphorical desert or a real one. God sends them when I am desperate enough to sink to my knees and plead for help. These earthly angels appear as everyday people. No feathered wings sprout from their sides, yet they fly to my side when I turn to God. No golden halos hover above their heads, but their glow shines brighter from loving hearts. None carry a heavenly harp nor pluck a single magical string. Perhaps, their heartstrings are gifted by the people they grace. None sing sacred songs, but I hear the hallelujah chorus each time. There is no sweeter music. Often their comeliness is debated among people, but their beauty is true, never to fade. I now sometimes recognize these magnificent creatures as they walk through my life as extraordinary humans. Some of them are my friends. God bless all of you.

Montgiscard to Toulouse 4/29/22

 Hard to believe that today was my last day of hiking. I have two nights in Toulouse, so I will post one more blog after this one.

My en suite from last night- a view across the canal as I left to walk to Toulouse.

My entire day was along the Canal du Midi.  Sure made reading trail markers a breeze. And with the exception of a few gentle hills, it was an easy day. Counting walking around Toulouse, my distance was 18.8 miles.

Look!  Ducklings.  Spring has sprung.  Mama is keeping close watch and Daddy was nearby..

There were several of these beautiful brick bridges.

My best photo of the Mallard ducks - male and female.

After about two hours, but too early for lunch, I came across this tavern and ordered a Coke - Zero.  What a nice break, and so unusual for this trek.

There were boats parked end to end for the next eight miles.

I liked this one with its swan leading the ship.

Boats, boats and more boats.

Hey, even if you live on a boat, you gotta do laundry.  Wish they would do mine. I have a whole suitcase full of dirty clothes.  Smells like a locker room in my hotel room,  Worse than that is my backpack.  After a month of perspiring into the back and straps of it, I worry that I smell.  I have clean clothes but there is not a darn thing I can do about the pack until I get home and worse, I have to wear it on my flights back.  I pity the person who has to sit by me.  LOL.

I noticed that all the the boats were parked facing the same direction.  The canal was not wide enough for them to turn around.  Did they have a circular route?

I don't think that the motorcycle belonged to the fellow in the tent. He was kind enough to let me take a snap.  I have not seen one of these tents before, but good for him for camping out.  It was about noon when I took this photo and most hikers start earlier in the day but who knows maybe he had a sleep in.

Most of the boats didn't look like they could make it under these bridges if it was high water.

What a garden!

A tribute to the women who were involved in the war.

I stopped for a snack in front of this little pond.  There was a children's playground next to it.

This fellow was bailing for all he was worth before his kayak sank.

And my favorite boat of all - "Moving Yoga and Health Food Restaurant."

As I got closer to Toulouse, I spotted this little sandwhich shop.  I ordered a hot dog, curious as to how a French dog would differ from the All American Classic.  So the dog was identical except longer.  It was served on good, toasted french bread with melted cheddar cheese down the center.  It had something sweet,  similar to ketchup but not quite the same. And it had Dijon mustard with that kick. My only complaint was that I prefer good old French's yellow mustard on my dog, but the bread was an improvement.

So many beautiful flowers today.

Dinner wasn't as good as the ones that I have had in some of the B & B's but it was still good.  I sat outside and the weather was gorgeous.  I ordered the "planche vegetable" and I wasn't sure what I was getting.  I have a good translate program but all it said was vegetable plank.  As it turned out, I loved this fresh out of the garden vegetable platter.  It had a nice dipping vinagrette 

My main course was "poulet rôti dans son jus."  Translated as roast chicken with roasted potatoes and salad.  I enjoyed it but it was way too much food.

It was such a beautiful night that I walked around Toulouse and then sat on the square with a glass of Vin Blanc watching the people.  A terrific way to end a wonderful day.

Villafranche-du-Laurgais to Montgiscard 4/28/22

 

Bonjour!

I saw this house as I was leaving Villefranche-du-Lauragais.  It appears to be fairly new, which caught my attention.  I have not seen that many new homes in France. The French seen to leave the outer structure and then redo the interior.   A few days back, I talked about the difference between hiking in Spain, Italy, and France.  There seems to be a bar on every corner in Spain and Italy and at least one bar in the smallest villages. I have noticed that they have very few bars in France. My hostess had lived in all three countries. She explained that in both Spain and Italy, the culture is all about getting together so, there are many places to meet family and friends.  In France, people mostly don't meet in public places. The French are all about having the nicest/fanciest houses, and they entertain at home.

I loved this fancy birdhouse.  It was nicer than the house behind it.

When I got to the trail, the first section was very muddy.  It was that sticky kind of mud, that clumps on the bottom of your shoes and makes you walk like Frankenstein.  

I stopped at a park in a mountain-top village for a bite of lunch.  I immediately had a beautiful dining companion.  I quickly realized that she was about to drop a big litter of kittens any minute, I shared my cheese with her, but she had no interest in a potato chip.

I saw so many flowers.

I passed by a fenced enclosure containing, at minimum, twenty of these marsupials.  Wallabees?  They were only about knee-high.  I never figured out if it was the back of a public zoo or a private one. They did not seem to be particularly afraid of me. I couldn't get a better photo because the fence was electrified, and I didn't want to get shocked. There were also several peacocks and a couple of antelope-type animals.

As I arrived in Montigisgard, I spotted this electrical building painted with beautiful flowers. Much prettier than just an old utility building.

One of the prettier war memorials that I have seen on my journey.

After much up and a little down, I was again hiking along the canal. It looked so peaceful to be gliding down the river.  By this time, I was hot and sweaty and tired.  Oh, I am just a little green with envy.

The canal.

La Casanat - my lodging for the night.  See the big trees behind.

These are 300-year-old Linden trees that flank the back of La Casanat.  Linden trees are known as basswood in the U. S.  I have a suite in the back of the house that is just beautiful.

The saucy redhead in purple is my hostess for the night. She is leading a couple of French guests to their room.

Dinner tonight!

My dinner started with a sparkling glass of rosé.  I researched every word on the "menu of the day" when the server told me I had picked from the menu de midi (cheaper choice), and I was entitled to the Menu Lauragais.  I quickly picked a starter because I recognized the words asparagus and chorizo. I ordered "Fricasse d'asperges vertes, encornets, chorizo, zestes de citron." Oh, Mon Dieu - I had ordered the dreaded pulpo under a different name. It was actually pretty good. I forgot to take a photo.  It had to be prepared exceptionally well for me to like octopus.  I had a bad experience with boiled pulpo in Portugal. I  put some of it in a baggie because they keep giving me too much food.

My main course was "Joue de porc braisée pommes grenailles." This mouth-watering pork was phenomenal - fork-tender and succulent, covered in real gravy like my grandmother and my mother used to make.  I usually eat all my vegetables and pick at the meat, but I ate the pork and left the potatoes, AND I love potatoes.  Some of the beef went into the purse baggie for tomorrow.

I ordered "sabayon de framboises," a warm vanilla pudding with fresh raspberries.  It was topped with vanilla ice cream. I had to walk about a third of a mile back to my en suite, and I waddled home.  What a meal!

Today was a long, frustrating day because although my technology was working fine, I kept getting off the trail.  I still loved it, and the scenery was awe-inspiring.  My total mileage was 20.5, counting walking to dinner and back.

So good night and sleep tight.