After breakfast at the accueil with the same persons as the night before I started my walk this day by going down to the Domain again. From the map in the GPS I had, it seemed that one could walk though the area and out the western side. But not! I tried several routes and gates. All locked! Probably due to security reasons. So, I had to walk back and out through a southern entrance towards the hotel area up the hill and then continued along the southern fence of the Domain.
Found GR78, the “Chemin du Piémont”, a relatively new chemin towards Compostelle (Santiago) running along the northern foothills of the Pyrenees from Carcassonne to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, passing, among other places, Lourdes and Oloron-Ste-Marie.
Leaving Lourdes, I passed a big monastery and then a camping site by the river. A beautiful walk along the river on the GR78. Reached the small city St-Pé-de-Bigorre where I had my morning coffee at the square. Found my way out and continued over at the other side of the river. My GR continued along the side of a road with little traffic. I passed the entrance of “Grottes de Bétharram”. A very large system of caves that should have been well worth looking at, but not this time. Went into another small city, Lestelle-Bétharram, where I had lunch and then tried to continue the marked route. But that was closed and fenced off due to building works … without any advice how to handle this problem. I had to use the side of the road. And, at the side of that, found an older version of the GR. Using that I passed the closed off part.
Later, after many winding roads up and down hills, I arrived to the village of Asson where there should be an accueil. I found the place, but it was locked. I tried to phone the number noted at the gate, but did only reach an answering machine. Went around for a while, but went back again and sat down trying to figure out alternative plan. Then a young woman came, also she a pilgrim. She had been let into the accueil earlier and now helped me in. Two beds. I opted for the top one. At that moment a young man arrived. I gave him the top bunk and instead took a mattress for the floor. As usual I washed my thing and hang them to dry outside.
Later the hostess came. She stamped our credentials and collected the fee. I went out and found a pizzeria – and everything else combined – and had something to eat. That was the only possibility in Asson. Later that evening I talked a bit with the other two at the gite. She was from France and spoke good English while he came from Slovenia. I later learned that his name was Blaž Vurzer. It proved that he had just graduated as a medical doctor. Later Blaž went out to collect his washed clothes since it had begun to rain a little. I realized that I had the same problem, so I followed his example. Slept well.
Un poco de problemas cuando salí Lourdes. Descubrí que no es posible salir través el “Domain” al oeste. Todas las puertas hacia esta dirección eran cerradas. Tuve que volver. Después un buen camino llegaba a Asson, pero aqui tuve problemas entrar el albergue. ¡Estaba cerrado! Per con ayuda de una joven mujer era posible. Un albergue muy pequeño. Sola dos camas. A me era necesito dormir en el suelo.
Peregrino 