Have to make a stop to visit the goats at the petting zoo again before heading out. Tom really doesn’t want to leave this one but leave we must. The Camino calls.
We split off in to groups again and roll through the easy countryside. Hot as anything, sun is absolutely battering us even though it’s not a long walk today.
I did have the idea that this part of France didn’t have a lot of military contact during the second world war but walking through Castlenat today put paid to that. An amazing story of resistance fighters (including a shot down NZ pilot rescued by the resistance earlier) making things very difficulr for the Nazi occupiers and destroying their weapons depot here after a massive battle. Anti-fascist Spanish militia and regular local people risking everything to make a stand. It’s genuinely incredible to be walking through places with this history.
As is normal we are rolling through really easy countryside so it doesn’t take forever to walk in to Condom. Staying at Gite Le Champs d’Etoile means we arrive at the gite immediately on the entry to Condom which means an early knock off. A proper supermarket leads to a veritable banquet lunch for next to nothing. Happy days.
Gite Etoile is a perfect little stop for us. Veronique and Jean-Marc are generous and affable and take a lot of interest in our odd little gang. There’s plenty of space for us to camp at the bottom of the garden and through-out the day the gite slowly fills up with about 20 other pelerins.
We decide to treat ourselves and pay a bit extra to have dinner with everyone at the communal table and it is exceptional. Tom is lucky enough to be generously accommodated and has his dinner supplied early to be put to bed and we all join up at the long dinner table in the garden. What would almost be considered a crime in France secretly takes place as a delicious 3 course dinner is served (excluding one serve of meat as part of the main for those who request it) which is vegan! Quelle horreur! No butter! No cheese! No milk! As it was entirely amazing and the owner ensured everyones agreement in it’s enjoyment before the great reveal. He has snookered all the French people at the table who in any other circumstances would refuse to even attempt a meal like it. It’s genuinely impressive on all fronts. Jean Marc had a previous career as an Electrical Engineer in Guam for many years, he’s found his calling as a chef and host. One of our favourite stops.
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