April 20 Toulouse

20 April. Toulouse

We had a lovely relaxing day once we got our train tickets to take us out of the industrial suburbs of Toulouse tomorrow morning.  Because of the SNCF strike, there was quite a backlog.  We walked along the Canal du Midi from the train station.  It was pretty at first, then became lined with concrete as highways had been laid beside it.  We also passed two small homeless encampments under bridges. We came to a canal sightseeing boat that was about to leave, and decided to take the trip back the way we had come, through 3 locks.  That was enough for us.  We then walked along the Brienne Canal to the Garonne, buying sandwiches, drinks, and chocolate at a little epicerie, and picnicking on a bench beside the canal.

It was still lunchtime when we reached the Garonne, and people were out everywhere, on steps leading down to the water, in grassy parks, and in sidewalk cafes.

Old bridges, spectacular old buildings on both sides of the river, and a church with a revered Black Madonna were all part of the mix.  We finished our sightseeing with a lengthier visit to the Couvent Jacobin, and a farewell to Thomas Aquinas.  

We rested in our hotel room for a short while before exploring a nearby neighborhood  and enjoying pizza for dinner.

Our packs are packed again and tomorrow will be a test of endurance as we walk over 20 km from Pibrac to L’Isle Jordan, where have wimped out and reserved a hotel room rather than searching for the municipal gite.  

Now our real pilgrim journey begins!