Psalm 127: 1 "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain ..."
The final sprint to Aire-sur-l'Adour! It ended up a LONG limping walk... There was much walking through woods, fields, and a long segment of asphalt-walking.
The communal facilities in Lelin Lapujolle were first class, and much appreciated. I understand that those who own the huge surrounding vineyards support their commune well.
An hour and a half before reaching Aire-sur-l'Adour, I had about 20 minutes of steady rain. The trek through nearby Barcelonne de Gers was difficult because my energy was flagging and I was limping because of too many problems to name. And then finally, sooner than I thought-Aire-sur-l'Adour! I was never so happy to see the Maison des Pelèrins!
Aire-sur-l'Adour is good-sized, and apparently a very old city dating back to Roman times like much of this region, as I have said. Once called Vicus Julii, under Roman rule, it became Atura under the Wisigoths in the 5th century. The gothic Benedictine abbey of St. Quitterie was named after a Wisigoth princess, martyred for her Christian faith, whose relics are kept in a crypt in the basilica there.
After dinner we were also entertained with singing and guitar playing.
At 6 pm I attended the mass at the 11th century Cathedral of St. John the Baptist with about a dozen other pilgrims... The chapel where we worshiped was adorned in frescoes painted in warm colors, and, since I didn't have my phone/camera with me, I returned the next morning to take a few photos.
The final sprint to Aire-sur-l'Adour! It ended up a LONG limping walk... There was much walking through woods, fields, and a long segment of asphalt-walking.
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| "We take the time to live, to be free" |
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| Church, Lelin Lapujolle |
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| Organic snack, Lelin Lapujolle |
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| Pilgrim rest-stop |
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| "Welcome: Keep up your morale" |
An hour and a half before reaching Aire-sur-l'Adour, I had about 20 minutes of steady rain. The trek through nearby Barcelonne de Gers was difficult because my energy was flagging and I was limping because of too many problems to name. And then finally, sooner than I thought-Aire-sur-l'Adour! I was never so happy to see the Maison des Pelèrins!
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| In fact, the rain started just after I passed this rock -- "the sunshine is within you" |
Aire-sur-l'Adour is good-sized, and apparently a very old city dating back to Roman times like much of this region, as I have said. Once called Vicus Julii, under Roman rule, it became Atura under the Wisigoths in the 5th century. The gothic Benedictine abbey of St. Quitterie was named after a Wisigoth princess, martyred for her Christian faith, whose relics are kept in a crypt in the basilica there.
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| Church of St. Quitterie |
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| Crypt of St. Quitterie |
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| A few of us at La Maison des Pèlerins |
After dinner we were also entertained with singing and guitar playing.
At 6 pm I attended the mass at the 11th century Cathedral of St. John the Baptist with about a dozen other pilgrims... The chapel where we worshiped was adorned in frescoes painted in warm colors, and, since I didn't have my phone/camera with me, I returned the next morning to take a few photos.
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| Chapel in the Cathedral, Aire-sur-l'Adour |
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