Walking on the road

Today started with more sunflowers. I passed fields where they were nearly completely in bloom. Lovely.

It continues to surprise that I haven’t gotten completely lost in rural France. Then today, somewhere after about 2 kilometres of walking I missed a marker and I ended up walking off route with no way markings. When I realised I was off track I checked google and realised the road I was on was heading for the town I wanted so I was ok. It only added about a kilometre to my trip. And it shows that even when I get lost il always close to somewhere. I was even passed by a taxi at one stage. However walking on the big roads is fairly unpleasant. Especially when cars pass at speed.

Not long after getting back on track the way was blocked by signs saying that the route was impassable and we had to walk along the highway. There was a plus side to this that the highway is a more direct route, however walking along the highway was frightening. There were trucks and cars going at high speeds. And the shoulder was often thin or just not there at all. Usually the traffic would give as much space as possible and often even an encouraging toot. But there were other times when there was no or little space and at one stage I crossed a safety barrier to get clear of a line of big trucks. There were a few tears at this point. If the way is closed tomorrow will definitely jump in taxis or bus.

Not my favourite day on the trail, but in a happy ending the town where I’m staying, Lectoure has a thermal hot spring so I headed there for the afternoon. I’m now enjoying a local sorbet before dinner. Onward.