Toulouse: on the way to Compostela, “a saying says that we leave as a walker and arrive as a pilgrim”
Patrice has been walking the Compostela paths for a week. Leaving Castres, he plans to reach the Col du Somport. During his stopover in Toulouse, he explained his motivations to us.
Barely posed at La Petite Auberge, in the Arnaud-Bernard district, in the heart of Toulouse, Patrice took off his hiking boots. “A problem with a blister in one toe”, specifies the walker. A week, since the retiree from Reims, in Champagne, on the way to Arles. The one that goes to Puente-la-Reina, via the Col du Somport and of course Toulouse. “I left Castres last Thursday. I had completed a stage there, last year, which I am taking up again. I plan to go as far as Somport if all goes well,” he continues. Patrice should reach his destination in just over two weeks.
Three alternate outfits
Accustomed to walking for 7 years, always alone, Patrice has already been to Compostela. “5 years ago, I did the route from Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. And two years ago, I left from there, to Saint-Jacques, I walked for 28 days”, he specifies. And, in good shape until the end, and even after.
It wasn’t until retirement that this former coachbuilder-painter wanted to go hiking. For this, he opted for the paths of Saint-Jacques, “because they are so well marked and there are lodgings almost everywhere. But I’m not especially a pilgrim,” he hastens to add, referring to the faith that drives some. Patrice walks “for fun. There is a saying that you leave as a walker and arrive as a pilgrim. I think there is a reality in that, ”he concedes.
Dressed in trousers that can be shortened into shorts, two t-shirts and a sleeveless multi-pocket jacket, Patrice carried three spares in his backpack, which he washes regularly, in addition to a bag. bed, a first aid kit, another toilet as well as a poncho for the rain and a hat. Without forgetting his formidable bedside book, The snow panther by Sylvain Tesson.
Our walker spends an average of €40 per day. Nine times out of ten, Patrice sleeps in a gîte, half-board or not. He finds his addresses in the guide Yum Yum Sleep, which does not leave it, “it is the bible of the walker of Saint-Jacques”. On his way, Patrice feeds above all on beautiful encounters both with his guests and with walkers. If he always leaves his mobile phone aside when he walks, today Patrice finds it more difficult to detach himself from it. “It’s my birthday, I’m 69,” he slips, all smiles, before going to stamp his credential, get the key to his room and put his foot to rest.