Date: Monday, 19 May 2025
Day: 20
From: St. Antoine To: Lectoure
Start Walking: 636am End Walking: 137pm
Time: 6h13m
Distance (Planned): 26.4km Distance (Garmin): 25.2km
Progress: 502.1/765km
Ascent: 579m Descent: 508m
Weather: Rumbling thunder, heavy humidity and then big, fat rain drops.
Stayed At: Gite L’etoile Occitane
General Comments:
• I am happy to report that dinner last night was delicious with a whole lot of local produce including freshly picked cucumber, homemade terrine and sausages made by the farmer down the road. I am not a fan of cucumber (a completely pointless vegetable, in my opinion), I can easily skip terrine and I don’t really want to know what went into the sausages, but besides all that I respect the producer and their pride in their product and the cook went to a lot of trouble to ensure we had a pleasant meal.
• And we did have a pleasant meal with some great conversations with Justine from Nantes who is walking all the way to Santiago de Compostela in North West Spain and Jasper, who is doing the same, but has walked all the way from his home in Belgium! Ahh, the energy of youth!😁
• This morning was a different story though when I woke up to hear rumbling thunder and rain on the roof. Normally, I love a good storm, but not when I have a 26km walk planned the next day.
• As it turned out, the Weather Gods were smiling on us for most of the day. As we crested a hill we could see storm clouds and showers ahead of us, but they graciously moved out of our way the longer we were on the path.
• Signage was a bit questionable today. It’s usually really good and they have the GR65 sign at a turn or crossroads, then another sign within 20m or so to act as reassurance. Unfortunately, today there was little reassurance. Not that we went astray in any way, there were just quite a few kilometres where there was a lot of a’wishin’ and a’hopin’ that we were still on the right track.
• Today’s agricultural report: corn, wheat, potatoes, garlic, lucerne, artichokes, and strawberries.
Top Tips:
• Getting any sort of food, access to supplies etc is very tricky on Mondays. Some places only open half a day, while many close completely. Carry some provisions on Mondays in case you find your target boulangerie closed. Tragedy struck today…my first day (I think) without a pain au raisin!
• The path is busy again and every night, every Gite is booked out. As of this afternoon, I have finally finalised bookings for our final 9 nights. As much as we like to be flexible, you just have to book ahead to make sure there is a bed waiting for you at the end of each walking day.
Bon Chemin.
Life...one big adventure 
thanks Mel- for transporting me to the Via Podiensis. it was raining also in Vancouver this morning but we did not have to walk 26 km. Trying to recuperate from the busy week-end – the Gathering. And yes, I had the opportunity to have a short chat with Bill Bennett when I asked him to sign his book: The golden bridge . Maybe you read it already? oh yes.. always food in your bag is a very very good thing unless you want to walk empty stomach !
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No, I haven’t read that one of Bill’s. I have some catching up to do. 📚📚 Sounds like you had fun talking all things Camino!
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Unfailingly cheerful, Mel- but then, why wouldn’t you be? After Everest Base Camp everything’s easy?
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True! 😁
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I feel that same way, but about celery.
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You make a good point!
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Great update! Despite the rain and tricky signs, it sounds like the food and company kept your spirits up. Thanks for the Monday tip—super helpful for anyone walking the Camino. Wishing you clear skies and smooth steps ahead! Bon chemin!
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Thanks for those wishes…Not sure we nailed it yesterday. 🤣 I will upload yesterday’s post shortly!
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Haha, can’t wait to read the full “we may or may not have nailed it” saga 😄! If it involved more rain, rogue signage, or surprise detours, I’m already hooked. Bring it on—misadventures make the best stories!
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In fact, it became a very dirty story!🤣
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🤣 Oh no—dirty as in muddy boots or scandalous plot twists? Either way, I’m fully invested! If there were dramatic slips, soggy socks, or wild confessions over wine, I need the director’s cut immediately. This Camino’s turning into a full-on telenovela!
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🤣🤣🤣 – I love the way you are building the hype! I fear you will be disappointed!
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Disappointed? Never! At this point, you could post a dramatic retelling of a blister and I’d still be like “Bravo, 5 stars, would walk again!” 😂 Honestly, I’m just here for the chaos, charm, and potential sock-related plot twists. Let the Camino soap opera roll on!
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Too funny! Thanks for being my very own cheer squad!🎊🎊🥳
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Day 20 already!! A day without a Pain au Raisin can barely be classed as a day though can it?! hehe 🙂
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Agreed, no pain au raisin means no joy!😁
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Here in SA hairdressers and restaurants on wine farms are closed on Mondays … I don’t mind the hairdressers, but for me it is a tragedy that the wine farms are closed (the day you need them the most) 😂.
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Agreed! There should be a law against it!🤣🤣
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For many years we have followed a ‘golden rule’ to keep walking until we see the next sign. It has led to some tension a few times but 90% of the time it has worked out like it did for you but I guess the worry can get to you until you do see the next sign indicating you’re going the right way. Cheers, Mark
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I keep telling myself that I just have to ‘trust in the way’ and, as you say, most times it works out fine. It’s just the thought of walking ‘unnecessary’ steps that causes me angst! Goodness knows I walk enough each day on the trail! 😉
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