Condom to Montréal-du-Gers

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This was last nights salad.  Probably the best pasta salad ever. I am not a big pasta salad fan especially those cheapie ones with soggy macaroni and too much mayo.  This one was, however mostly salad with real tomatoes and lots of fresh basil in a vinaigrette.

Real French Cassolet. It was clear that this had cooked slowly for many hours.  OMG!  I love me some perfectly cooked beans. It was seasoned with two pork ribs and some other pork and a few vegetables that were baked to smithereens. Very rich. Dennis and I both thought we had died and gone to heaven. For dessert, we had apple tart.

The river as we started out walking alongside it. 

Beautiful trees and blooms everywhere we looked.

This little farm cat made me laugh.  When I rounded the corner he was sitting up and when he saw me he crouched down.  I am not sure where he thought if he made himself smaller, I wouldn't notice him or he was thinking about pouncing.  Dennis said he sat back up as soon as we were by him.

And I love the black and whites.  You can see our shadows beside him.

More beautiful blooms.

The church in Montréa-du-Gers.  Always so plain on the outside.

And yet on the inside are the beautiful stained glass windows.

The altar and the windows behind it.  The temperature dropped 20 degrees the second we entered the church.  It amazes me how the churches and cathedrals retain the cold.  Of course, the walls are like two feet deep. This was our warmest day...73 degrees which is hot for hiking and yet it was still jacket-wearing cold in the church.

Looking out from the town.

We only walked 12 miles today which includes walking around town.  The trail was primarily rolling farmlands so it was a good start for Dennis. Once we were in the small town of our hotel, we found a little restaurant where we split a pizza.  I am getting tired of bread and cheese on the trail so this was a bit of luck. As usual, there was nowhere to stop and get something to drink on the trail.

Dennis after his walk today! We are staying in a tiny bed and breakfast called Carpe Diem...Seize the day.  The hotel only has three guest rooms.  The owner is very very nice and speaks English.  She has a daughter in Irvine California. 

Hopefully, your dinner will be as good as the incredible food that we are having in France!