I needed a beer. It was at least 90 degrees when we walked into the tiny hamlet of Mosacq, France, our home for the night and just 57 miles from the end of our French Camino. In the only bar in town, I spotted Sparta Shuc, a stout. A break from the bland French lagers. Full flavor, not bad, and ice cold. Where was it made? No English on the label, so I Googled it. Really? From the Midwest, USA!
The air was crisp this morning as we departed our hotel and walked through the tiny village of Miramont-Sensacq. An hour later, we hoped for distractions from the cornfields, pavement, and the onset of heat that would fall just short of 90.
We were in luck, sort of.
Churches continue to be one of my favorite features of the French Camino and we visited three today. Outside the first church, a young guy was packing up his camp that featured his hammock. He would catch up with us later, and we shared a few steps while he described his intention to walk all the way—solo—to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. A French native, he had started in Le Puy just a few days after us. His would be a 1,000-mile camping journey.
The surprise return of cattle country and new calves, amongst the cornfields, also refreshed part of the day. But another rerun—hills—reminded us over and over that the Via Podiensis was not finished issuing challenges.
In sum, it was an up-and-down day.
We are trying not to wish away the remaining seven days of this trek.
Yes, we are tired, but we remain aware this is an experience of a lifetime.
Books and my backpack 