Orphans in Lectoure

We woke up early this morning.  We couldn't help it. The other pilgrims we were sharing our dormitory with had set their alarm to go off smartly at 5 a.m.
Woken from a sound sleep we settled into our normal morning routine, packing yesterday's cleaned laundry, fishing a stray charging adapter from under the bed and restoring our fold up cots to the condition we found them in. Our feet were looking forward to the short day we had scheduled for their benefit.  And so our day's walk began.

As we descended a tree shaded lane towards Lectoure and merged onto the road, we found ourselves walking beside another couple. We mustered our best, "Bonjour".  Barbara giggled and exclaimed in perfect English: "Where are you from?"  As soon as we responded, "California", we were adopted on the spot by Charles & Barbara. 

Our new Parents, retired employment lawyers from Canada, described everything we needed to see while in town, invited us into their home, helped us resolve a housing issue, and bought us coffee at their favorite cafe.

Our early morning departure

Our adoptive parents Charles & Barbara. Charles helping Mary with her backpack.

They took us to their apartment to see the expansive views out their back window. On a clear day, they assured us, one could see all the way to the Pyrenees, our final destination. We desperately wanted to see the mountains, but alas our destination was not yet in sight.