Beer and pilgrims

In our village by the Mairie's office there is a tree where Pilgrims often take shelter from the sun... it is scorching. Personally, I cannot think of anything more challenging than walking for hours a day in the burning sun with a 20 kilo back-pack.

I am not sure if it is ethical but yesterday I saw two pilgrims taking shelter under the tree. I have never seen two people look so tired and so thirsty and so hot in all my life. They were bright red and looked as if they couldn't take another step. I perhaps should have aided them... given them some water. In the mid-afternoon sun, their wish was granted as I approached them with yes (they couldn't quite believe it) two ice cold beers, two 60+ men could not have been more grateful. My only regret is I didn't get a photograph for my blog... perhaps next time. Needless to say, I felt very smug and very grateful for the opportunity to make two grown men so happy with such a tiny gesture. I wonder if the pilgrims of old ever shared an ale on their pilgrammage.