I am having trouble uploading photos…. so there might be some X’s on the page, until I get the problem sorted out with Netfirms.
Until then you will have to imagine the photos.
May 5
We are on our way to Lordes today. So far it looks overcast, but warm it is 14 right now at 07:00 – so much for sleeping in.
Away at 9:00 and stopped at Aire Sur D’Ladour for lunch, nice little village with winding streets, and crazy french drivers.
Some of the people on the tour
Ordered a jambom & fromage pain in a little pub, and I think I offended the waiter, he took the cutlery and the place mats, and then came
back and took the salt & pepper. I guess I was supposed to order something more expensive.
We got to Lourdes around 3, checked in and then off on a wander through the streets to the Grotto, to get some of the water.
Lots of people everywhere, who are here to be cured of whatever ails them.
We are on the ground floor of a nice little “traditional” French hotel. Looks like it is salmon again for supper – more bread please.
We had roast pork for supper, not bad. Then off down to the Esplanade de Processions to watch the candle light ceremony.
A lot of people, but the square wasn’t full, so I don’t think there were as many people as usual. Wandered back through the streets,
taking some night street photos. There is a castle right above the hotel, but we didn’t have time to go up and through it.
May 6
Wake up call at 06:00, we we’re already up. After breakfast we all piled onto the bus for long haul today. Off to Madrid, about 500 k.
We stopped 3 times for about 1/2 hr each time. We drove over the Pyrenees Mountains, still snow on top, they are about 12,000,
similar to the Rockies. It rained off and on most of the day.
Into Spain, now we get to practise our Spanish. Into Madrid and our Hotel around 5. Most of the group went out for dinner together.
We wandered down the street to La Taperia to sample some tapas. The garlic mayonnaise was better than at La Tapas in Edmonton.
Back to the hotel to do laundry. Nothing much happened today,
as we were in the coach the whole time. Again Madrid is very busy, even after 9 pm.