Day 26 Arzacq-Arraziguet

Wednesday 12th October starts misty but mild and the water deprived reservoir has blue green algae and the appearance of primordial soup.

New signage means a new region (Aquitaine) which here shows the alternative name of the Via Podiensis which is the Voie du Puy-en-Velay. 

I have been trying to get a good shot of the irrigation systems that look like dinosaur skeletons.

I have been worrying too much about formal departments and regions when of course the French are more concerned about their pays than any current government boundaries; note the reference to Landes below and lunch today included small Pastis Landais, small pistachio cake.

The title for today references the next big town though I stop short and stay at a farm near the hamlet of Pimbo. I am really not sure of my thinking on some of my choices though I can't think of any gite d'étape that has disappointed. My criteria of half-board, reasonable cost and suitable distance will have narrowed the choice. I also aimed for English speaking gites though in practice the extent of English spoken has been limited to checking I understood their French.

I stop at a charming Chapel which as this photo of a side room shows is characterful and basic.

Today I make the connection between the ducks and geese I have see out in small paddocks and the general farm advertisements for foie gras. Tonight's accommodation has a high end website and a more rustic outlook in the real world. I find my potential accommodation but on enquiry I am directed 50 metres up the road. I hope and knock with no response. I wait five minutes. Luckily a van passes, reverses and parks. This French version of a Dales farmer collects a key and takes me 50 metres back down the road. My €44 has secured me a self contained flat with laundry facilities and a double bed with an evening meal at 7pm. Thank you, especially as this Dales farmer raises ducks which featured in two of the four courses. Laundry on, I tend to my feet which don't really need tending, shower and relax.

I have spoken about my use of the mapy.cz mobile app and how its Via Podiensis route is a little out of date. Today I remembered I also have the Wise Pilgrim app and its route seems fine on today's usage. As shown below it also shows my progress across regions.




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