Day 7. 21.7.19
Again, we could have stayed on our campsite. The temptation was very real. But again, a look at the weather forecast showed yet higher temperatures in store for us.
We were within reach of the Pyrenees by now. Not a great distance to go. So we pushed on.
By 3 pm we were on Camping La Foret, Lourdes. We had phoned ahead, but they didn't want to reserve spaces, as they had been very full recently. They explained that the Tour de France had been nearby, and people were camping to watch it.
After our meal, we walked into Lourdes.
We had no idea what to expect.
A pleasant town with a big church set up high. A river running through the town. Nestling in the edge of the Pyrenees.
But we weren't prepared for what we saw next.
The grotto of St Bernadette, and the people there.
Lourdes is one of the biggest Roman Catholic holy places, coming 3rd after St Peter's, Rome.
The grotto was easy to find. People were queueing to touch the rock, and touch the stones. It wasn't hollowed out of the rock. It was more of an overhang of rock with a spring coming out of it. Devout pilgrims were there to pray for the healing of their friends and relatives.
We walked round the square in front of the basilica, and then decided to shove off back to the campsite. As we did, we saw lines of wheelchairs, bathchairs and mobile beds being prepared for a procession.
The two parts of the procession we saw had disabled pilgrims from Italy, and Spain, lining up for the healing benefits of Lourdes.
It was very moving to see the desperation mingled with the palpable excitement of some of the processors. Clearly they were very glad to be there. But also very keen to find some potential improvement in their health.
We walked back to our campsite in stifling heat. It was nearly 9 pm.
Tomorrow promises to be exceptionally hot.
Again, we could have stayed on our campsite. The temptation was very real. But again, a look at the weather forecast showed yet higher temperatures in store for us.
We were within reach of the Pyrenees by now. Not a great distance to go. So we pushed on.
By 3 pm we were on Camping La Foret, Lourdes. We had phoned ahead, but they didn't want to reserve spaces, as they had been very full recently. They explained that the Tour de France had been nearby, and people were camping to watch it.
After our meal, we walked into Lourdes.
 |
| Lourdes |
A pleasant town with a big church set up high. A river running through the town. Nestling in the edge of the Pyrenees.
But we weren't prepared for what we saw next.
The grotto of St Bernadette, and the people there.
 |
| The grotto |
Lourdes is one of the biggest Roman Catholic holy places, coming 3rd after St Peter's, Rome.
The grotto was easy to find. People were queueing to touch the rock, and touch the stones. It wasn't hollowed out of the rock. It was more of an overhang of rock with a spring coming out of it. Devout pilgrims were there to pray for the healing of their friends and relatives.
 |
| From the top of the basilica, Lourdes |
We walked round the square in front of the basilica, and then decided to shove off back to the campsite. As we did, we saw lines of wheelchairs, bathchairs and mobile beds being prepared for a procession.
The two parts of the procession we saw had disabled pilgrims from Italy, and Spain, lining up for the healing benefits of Lourdes.
It was very moving to see the desperation mingled with the palpable excitement of some of the processors. Clearly they were very glad to be there. But also very keen to find some potential improvement in their health.
We walked back to our campsite in stifling heat. It was nearly 9 pm.
Tomorrow promises to be exceptionally hot.
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