The first day of walking was sunny and warm. We left Navarrenx in the early morning still adjusting our packs and becoming pilgrims again. Our destination was the small town of Aroue.
The path wandered through idyllic farm country that included whitewashed houses with windows covered by shutters.
Rushing water always sounds refreshing and peaceful. The red and white stripes of GR 65 (on the stone wall to the right) guided us.
We stayed at Aroue's gite communal, which had been a school --
chambres were basic but comfortable.
Dad's 'after walk' San Diego State Aztec shirt matched a local house's red gate, shutters & doorway.
The only restaurant nearby was a pizza place, run by Cornelia. She made us a delicious vegetarian pizza, which tasted especially good since we had eaten little during the hot day's walk. We asked her if there was a spot to leave an ex- voto, and she said we could leave some in the church but to include a note that explained their meaning. The small parish had only weekly visits by a priest. She translated our note into French and then directed us to where the key to open the church was hidden.
3 ex-votos (leg, stomach, breasts) plus note & donation were placed on what looked to be a keyboard.
Several churches we saw in this region of France had aqua colored arches.
Cornelia posed with me in front of her shop. She learned how to make pizzas from friends in Barcelona.
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