Day 24 - Dufort Lacapelette - Moissac - 25 May

Time Departed: 8.20am

Time Arrived: 12.45pm

Distance: 17kms 

Cumulative Distance: 419 kms

Percentage Completed: 54% (699,900 steps) 

Weather: Overcast and warm 

Accommodation: Hotel Luxembourg 

Feelings: Neil - Relaxed, Henk - Relaxed,  Di - Relaxed

It was good to know that we had a shorter distance today after two long days and we felt relaxed and took the walk at a far more leisurely pace. We aimed to arrive at Moissac for a long lunch which we achieved. Today’s walk was alongside acres of fruit trees including plums, apples and cherries and many vineyards. The bird canons continued throughout the morning but thankfully in the distance. 

There was also a combination of walking through some woods, mown grass paths and tarmac. As much as possible we tried to walk on the soft verge beside the minor country roads. 

There were a few inclines but nothing major. The last five kilometres were on tarmac straight to our  hotel and we arrived quite footsore. The hotel notice stated that it didn’t open until three o’clock so we headed off to the town’s old centre with the Romanesque Abbey of St Peter and found quite a number of cafes open with many French having lunch. Our hotel is about a four minute walk to this central plaza so we are in a good position. We immediately found a table and enjoyed a long, relaxing lunch.

Following lunch we spent the remainder of the time visiting the abbey and the outstanding cloisters. The abbey’s detailed tympanum depicting Christ in the centre was crafted in the last part of the 12th century and is on the UNESO World Heritage List due to the Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Route. Inside the walls of the abbey are totally handpainted. 

The cloister which was completed in 1100 and is also in a Romanesque style is magnificent and is apparently the oldest surviving cloister in the world. We climbed a steep spiral staircase and this gave a good view to the inside of the church. 

At three o’clock we returned to the hotel and showered. We revisted the abbey for six o’clock Vespers. We read Anne’s blog as she is a number of days ahead of us and she mentioned them. We looked for a sign when we visited earlier in the afternoon and found a small one in the church advertising the time. We are so glad we knew about them. Seven nuns and a novice sang in beautiful voices that resonated throughout the church. Vespers went for just over fifteen minutes and we then had time before dinner at seven thirty.

We walked until seven thirty as we went to the canal and aqueduct. It was a pleasant afternoon walking along the towpath.

Our dinner was at a restaurant at the square outside the abbey. It was a busy evening as it was Friday night and many were dining or generally mixing in the square. We caught up with Jeremy and Kris who were also having dinner at the same restaurant. 

We are seeing the flowers at their best. On the way into Moissac I saw this amazing flower. I’ve not seen one like it before and others that are past flowering.