Pilgrim Gite: Ecluse Sanglier

April 16, 2024 Avignonet- Lauragais –  Baziege – 26kms – Ecluse de Sanglier

April 17, 2024 – Baziege – Toulouse – 29kms – L’Authentique Cour de Ville

April 18, 2024 – Toulouse – Mérenvielle – 30kms – Villa de Rabailly

When Jean-Marie was checking me in at the pilgrim gite at the Ecluse de Sanglier (canal lock of the wild boar) he asked me my age. I told him that I was 55 today, but would be 56 tomorrow. He congratulated me and continued on with his documentation of our journey. I realized I had the date wrong by a day,  but it was too late to correct it. 

After a night near the motorway at the Fast Hotel, it was great to be united with our new pilgrim family. Most of them are finishing at Toulouse for now, except Terese, who will continue to Puente La Reina.

I adore the communal dinners at Giles in France! Michelle and Jean-Louis, our hospitaleros, prepared one of the best dinners I have had in France. Michelle explained that the chicken breasts were cooked with mushrooms in crème fraiche and mustard. Yum!  For dessert Jean-Marie had snuck off to buy two slabs of tira misu and presented them with candles.  People sang happy birthday in four different languages. Champagne followed after the wine and we all ate and drank perhaps more than we should have. Michelle presented me with a carton of crème fraiche as a present. It was one of my very best birthday parties.

Hearing that Michele and Jean-Marie are celebrating their wedding anniversary this Thursday I was able to return their kindness and give them my painting of the gite.

Last night in Toulouse we said goodbye to Doris. She finished her short French pilgrimage with a new love of France and its people. I was delighted she made the journey to join us and to celebrate my birthday. Camino family is precious