DAY THIRTYSEVEN
SAINT-SEVER – BEYRIES
Sometimes a bird arrives quickly
But equally it may take many years
Before it chooses to
Don’t be discouraged
Wait
Wait many years if needed
The speed or tardiness of its arrival
Has nothing to do
With the success of the picture…..
Jaques Prévert
Country streets with nobody driving or walking on it – huge fields of corn and
sunflowers on a completely flat area – houses with the wooden window shutters
closed – nobody seemed to live in this place. Today, I had to walk 30 km.
The visit of the newly renovated Gothic church Notre Dame in Audignon was a nice
change. After four years of renovation, it opened for the first day when I was there.
Sunflowers
Église Notre Dame
Gothic frescoes behind the altar
Former mill
In the town of Hagetmau, I saw for the first time on this trek palm trees growing
beside a church. I was so tired this day that I did not visit the 12th century crypt
Saint-Girons, but had a nice lunch break in the town beside a refreshing water
fountain.
Like so often, I passed crosses and religious monuments on my way. A statue of St.
Michel on a huge column was standing outside of the town Hagetmeau. St. Michel is
one of the most popular saints in France. Together with the female warrior Saint
Jean d’Arc, one can find Saint Michel in every church. During the religious wars and
the counterreformation, the Catholics used his story to depict the Protestants as evil.
St. Michel killing Protestantism, symbolized by a human being.
When I arrived in the little village of Beyries, a village with only 87 inhabitants, I
stayed overnight in the most unusual place. Beside the city hall, (every tiny village
in France seems to have a Mairie), a huge event hall was built. On one end stood 7
cots ready to use by pilgrims and on the other end there was a bar with a tiny kitchen.
Every time I wanted to go either to the kitchen or bathroom, I had to cross an empty
space of about 90 feet. The shower was placed in the men’s bathroom in between two
urinals. But the shower was great. For my tired feet, I prepared a wonderful bath
with saltwater in it. I was also thankful that I had a bed to sleep in.
Event hall in Beyries
So much space…..
– Text and photos contributed by Garyo –