Busy Week!

We have spent the last week getting to know the area.  We met with an electrician/HVAC installer.  We met with the Director of Urbanisation of Lectoure.  We met a British/French couple, whose son we met a month ago, and he suggested we get together.  They have offered to help us with project management, as they have years of experience in renovating houses, and they can translate for us.  We shopped for paint and tile in Fleurance and Condom.  We hiked a couple more times on different sections of the Chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle.  We had lunch at our favorite local restaurant, L’Arlequin in Saint-Clar.  We had a nice lunch at a restaurant in the countryside, Au Vieux Pressior, near Caussens.  We stopped in a village we’ve passed dozens of times, L’Isle Bouzon, walked about the village and visited their église, built in the 16th century with a beautifully painted ceiling. We’ve made lists of house projects to do in the spring.  We’ve been busy!  We continue to enjoy the views, with leaves turning and falling, and with glimpses of the Pyrenees at the top of hills.  We’re enjoying this time in the Gers!

Another Hike on the Chemin de Jacques de Compostelle

We hiked another section of the Chemin de Jacques de Compostelle yesterday afternoon.  This section was completely through agricultural fields.  We passed a farmer ploughing his field, a rushing stream, and tunnels through the trees.  There were directional signs at every turn.  We had fun!

Avezan

Papa and I were up early this morning, for our first visit to our new doctor in Lectoure.  As it turns out there was a substitute doctor, as our doctor is taking maternity leave until mid-November.  The cost for our appointments was 25 euros each.

We came back to Saint-Clar and did a bit of research online, had a nice lunch at home, then went on a 5 mile walk to Avezan.  Chateau a’Avezan was the first chateau we looked at seven weeks ago, on this trip, so it was a return for us.  The village has just a few houses with a church, a halle, and a mairie.  The chateau is “a pile of rocks” that needs attention.  We enjoyed the walk.  The sky was beautiful and the fall leaves are colorful.  Farmers were out plowing their fields - over and over.

The Rampart Wall Walk

This afternoon Papa and I went to Lectoure and walked around the outside of the rampart walls.  It was a clear day and the views were beautiful.  The Pyrenees were visible to the south, flowers were blooming all over the village, the leaves are turning yellow, red, and orange.  

Auch

We drove south to Auch, 37km, this morning for their Thursday market.  It was terrific!  We bought lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and enjoyed looking at the variety of other things available.  Auch is the capital of the Gers, located on the Gers River.  It was settled in ancient times and first noted by the Romans in 50 BC.  We stopped by the Tourism office and picked up a self guided walking tour brochure.  Our first stop was the Renaissance built Cathedral Sainte-Marie, also a National Monument.  It is known for it’s stained glass windows.  We walked through Salinis Square with it’s Monument to the Fallen.  Auch lost about 400 soldiers in WWI. We walked past the Armagnac Tower and down, then up the Monumental Staircase, with it’s statue of D’Artignan, one of the Three Musketeers, and born nearby.  We ate lunch in Auch at La Martine, a very small local restaurant with amazing food!  We had a good day in Auch!