Day 19 - Sights, Smells, Sounds…. and Silence (Lauzerte à Espis 23 km)
Another glorious day. We started with a leisurely breakfast as we had another shorter distance to travel. Departure through the mist-filled town and down the steep hill from Lauzerte was quite beautiful. We could not see the distant surrounding countryside and entering into the forest was eerie. One thing about the numerous forest climbs we encounter each day. We never know if they are two minutes or twenty minutes long. If a climb is on a road, you can see how far you have to go. In the forest, you never see the top as you start your climb so you have to be mentally prepared for anything. In the morning with fresh legs, it's normally not a problem. In the afternoon heat, it can be a bit of a challenge - especially with the humidity that we've had for a few days.
The forests were still very wet from the recent rains and the scent of the earth and plants lingered. The incredible greens I wrote about in an earlier post always capture my eye and I can never resist another picture. Additionally, the sound of birds seems to be everywhere at times. It is along the path in the woods where I feel most content, surrounded by nature in its truest form. I will often stop on the path to listen and look at what this beautiful country has to offer. And on occasion when I do this, it will be completely silent. Nothing. It's like someone turned the volume on nature down to zero. I love this silence.
We walked through tired looking sunflower fields, too exhausted to turn their heads to the sky. Most are dull and brown however we saw a couple of fields with their bright yellow petals refusing to accept their inevitable fate.
At a prolonged lunch stop with the four of us, I heard people speaking English right behind us so of course I started chatting with them. Thomas is a Dane living Copenhagen and Therese is an American originally from San Francisco also now living in Copenhagen. They were in the area for a friend's big celebration and just stopped at the café for lunch. It was an absolute pleasure speaking with them and I have added them to my list of people who are welcome to visit me back in Canada.
In the afternoon, orchards of apples, plums and kiwis became our neighbours along the path. I stopped to take a picture of a husband and wife harvesting their plums and was rewarded with a handful of beautiful and quite tasty fruit. The landscape continually changes as we move from region to region.
There were familiar faces at dinner from past gîtes and great conversation ensued. I met a new face, Rachel from Paris, who plans on traveling all the way to Santiago. Another pilgrim who will inevitably cross our paths in the days and weeks to come.
The journey continues with my love for this adventure growing.
