The cloud cover made for an easy walk of 18.7 km (11.7 mi), but my strain or something in the foot slowed me down considerably even though I had my brace on. For a while, I thought I had it on too tight, but loosening only improved it a bit. Desperate to fix the problem because I have to be at the Office de Tourisme by 1:00 pm at tomorrow's destination (17.6 km), I bought some cream that might help. We'll see. There's that psychological aspect that you have to show your body you're trying to help it!
Aulnay-de-Saintonge is another town with only around 1500 inhabitants, but they have show pieces like St Peter's Church that date to around 1120, an example of Romanesque architecture that will take your breath away. And lots of oriental influences like the elefants at the top of one of the columns. And then there's St Peter's Tower with a 12-ft thick wall from the 1100s that attests to the fact that the local Viscount was serious about defense. Of course, the 100-years war pretty much destroyed everything. Next to the tower and City Hall is the first colored war memorial that I can ever remember seeing.
I had to include a picture of the Halte Jacquaire (another term for an albuerge in Spain). The upstairs has a small bedroom with three sets of high/low bunks and the downstairs a full kitchen and bathroom and clothes washer. Just came back from buying food for tonight and for breakfast. Again, I'm the only one here.
