Following Linda and Russ: Miradoux to Marsolan

I left the last post as we were waiting for dinner in Auvillar.....it turned out to be one of the best yet. Starter was a Greek salad that we inhaled in no time, main course was penne pasta with a plain green salad on the side. The best of all was the huge piece of dessert, my fav, tiramisu! Discovered the next morning that they have a cook from Milan, Italy, so no wonder the meal was so good. It was one of the better deals we have had for a Chambre d'hôtes.

Yesterday morning (Friday) we walked from Auvillar to Miradoux. Again it was foggy to start with, but burned off quickly and then was hot. The scenery was pleasant, rolling hills and fields, and always some climbing uphill to work up a sweat! We arrived in Miradoux by 1:30 PM, but then had to wait until 3:00 to check into our Chambre d'hôtes (Le Bonheur). Nothing was open in town, so we found a pique-nique area that was cool and shady, and just hung out there for awhile. Our room was in a house owned by a Dutch couple and built in 1860, with enormous rooms and twenty foot high ceilings. We were in awe when they took us into their kitchen, which had a floor to ceiling pantry that required a step ladder to access the highest shelves! There was a long table that seated ten people in the middle of the room, and that was where we would have breakfast the next morning. Huge French doors opened to a stone patio that ran the entire length of the house, with a magnificent view of the countryside. There was a long table that seated 25 people, and it was lost on the patio! In the summer they eat all their meals out there. Our bedroom was on the second floor- we had to walk past a billiard table which looked tiny sitting on the landing! Dinner was served in the dining room, and the hosts ate with us. Our appetizer was avocado pieces wrapped in slices of smoked duck breast, then came a nice green salad, and the main course was fillets of a small red fish (not sure what kind, but it was an ocean fish), roasted potatoes and mixed grilled vegetables. Dessert was fresh pear slices with ice cream and optional whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

Entrance to Le Bonheur in Miradoux

Saturday morning after breakfast our host drove us 15 km to Lectoure, where we had arranged to meet our friends. It was great to see them get off the bus, and we enjoyed a lunch together before setting off for Marsolan, a 10 km walk. It was quite hot again, so we were happy to arrive at our Chambre d'hôtes (L'Enclos du Tabus) around 3pm. There is a nice swimming pool on the grounds, so we soaked our feet in it - what a treat. Our friends actually had a quick swim and said it was nice. Their room was away from the main building and had a large deck, so we enjoyed visiting on it before dinner.

We are now in the town of Condom and have had a pleasant day, walking in the morning and seeing some of the town this afternoon. The Cathedral was a highlight. Tomorrow is another short walk and then we'll see Montreal-du-Gers. Things are closed today and tomorrow, so the towns are quiet, but we're managing to find what we need to eat and drink!

Russ has some photos to add this time......