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27 September 2026 - Moissac

This morning the full moon finally overlapped with dawn, so when I woke up at 5 I could leave the mosquito infested bamboo thicket and head out into the open moonlit fields. I like walking in the cool moonlight. In Dufort-Lacapelette I stopped to refill my water, deposit my trash, and use the toilet. I do love that the French always have a WC available at the town mairie at any hour. Another hour down the road dawn came, and, not long after that, Marine. We walked and talked together for about an hour before I had to take a break after a steep uphill climb. Her mother was taking the day off and getting a ride to Moissac. But there were other camineros to talk to after that. And rolling hills before the descent to the Tarn River plain. My first experience of Moissac 3 years ago was the walk from the train station to the campsite across the river, so I thought it was just a small, rundown village. It's actually quite a large town! I walked through several kilometers of suburban sprawl before getting into the old town where it was market day - two for one hijabs! Then there is the thousand year old abbey surrounded by tons of shops and restaurants. Quite a lot more than I expected from what I remembered.

Now I am on a train again, with a plug for my phone between the seats and the world flying by. It was a nearly perfect vacation. 555 kilometers walked to complete the French Camino from Genève to Saint-Jean-Pied-du-Port. Unmatched camraderie, so that by two weeks in walking into a new town in the afternoon means greeting friends. And French cuisine every day! I am tired and ready to go home, but also planning to return.