THE PILGRIMAGE - DAY 7

12 May
Prior to commencing today's blog, our two very smutty minded little (?)biking boys wanted me to emphasise that they are staying overnight in a town called C O N D O M. Whilst Ben was giggling on the telephone to me, Paul was guffawing in the background. I have to say, as well, that their combined misuse of the English language is rapidly going from bad to worse.
AND NOW TO THE BLOG:-
Today commenced on the most appropriate and with another emotional moment. They were preparing to get on their saddles when the were rendered speechless and immobile. An older man and a young girl, accompanied by a donkey, walked past them - three very special Pilgrims. When the pedalling duo's powers of speech returned, they discovered that the Pilgrims were a father, daughter and their pet donkey(named 'Chataigne' - translated: chestnut). These three had walked from Geneva, averaging 14-20km per day, and had already been walking for two months - maintaining that it would be another two months before they arrive at Santiago de Compostela.

52.12 miles were pedalled today in a temperature of 31C - the weather had definitely warmed up today.
They enjoyed a short halt to cycling in the fascinating village of Auvillar, for an early lunch, where the medieval circular market hall (situated in an arcaded square) has been painstakingly and meticulously restored.

Paul and Ben have given up on 'hill counting' as there are now too many to count and "We are concentrating too hard on getting up the ...... things, not counting the .........s" (quote, believe it or not, from Paul).
It appears that the two of them got into a little boys' game of playing 'who will get to Condom first' with a couple German cyclists. Today's journey was taken up with England overtaking Germany and vice versa until they arrived at their destination and the grand result of: England 1st and 2nd, Germany 3rd and 4th!
The piece de resistance was their grand entrance into C O N D O M, when Benjamin fell off his bike in front of a crowd of people/Pilgrims. That's when England blushed!
With the exception of the 'stoner Frenchman', Paul and Ben have nothing but praise for everybody that they have had the pleasure of meeting on this journey. All of them being friendly, helpful and kind - a broad spectrum of nationalities with each and every one of them united, and coming together, on a journey towards the same goal.

Jenny