Le Chemin de la Liberté 2024 Day 1

Departure from Saint Girons after calling the names of the participants and handing out their name badges. All new for me, for others a reunion with old acquaintances. In the cool of the early morning the caravan started moving, the guides recognizable by their yellow polo. After an hour of ascent there was a first break, while walking I met some of the participants and had relaxed conversations.

It soon became warmer and the forest provided shelter from the exuberantly shining sun. In the forest we occasionally passed a mud puddle and I tried to keep my low shoes dry, which with some effort I succeeded. The morning quickly turned to afternoon and after several breaks it was lunch time. At the memorial site for Louis Barrau there was a short ceremony followed by an extensive lunch offered by the Barrau family. It was impressive in every way.

After the excellent lunch my legs were energized and morale was high. There followed three more hours of steady ascent and I had an opportunity to cool and refresh my feet in a stream. At Seix there was a commemoration of the passeurs and the first day ended with a delicious meal from the municipality of Seix.