Europe - The Lions on the Road: Cycling London to Cape Town - page 37

Iawokethenextmorningtothesmellofbreakfast.Aftersayinggood-bye,Iheaded
toMarmande.Thedayofcyclingwasprettyuneventful.Myroutetookmeacrossavariety
of terrain from flat lands to numerous steep hills and everything in between. I cycled past
numerous vineyards and small quaint and tranquil towns.
Icontacted the Canadian Embassy inParis totell them that Iwould shortly beleav-
ing France and to thank them for their support. Elaine told me that she would notify the
embassies in London, Barcelona and Madrid of my upcoming arrival into Spain.
I was quite excited about the next day for I was to arrive in Lourdes. This was my
second visit (the first was in 1989) and found it to be one of the most spiritually moving
places that I have ever been to. Lourdes is the site where in February 1858 a 14-year old
peasant girl, Bernadette Soubirous, her sister and friend, witnessed many apparitions of
Holy Mary. It has become a place of pilgrimage for millions and also a place of commer-
cialism…ad nausea which I had prepared myself for.
I woke the next morning quite late for it was to be a relatively short cycle day. The
weather didn't co-operate and I dealt with heavy drizzle for the full 44 kilometres. Since I
greatly anticipated my arrival into Lourdes, the distance seemed to take a full day's worth
ofpatience andenergy.Ifinally arrivedatthetownsignboardandmademywaytothePax
Christi hostel. I began to prepare for my visit to the Grotto. I walked around the market
area and entered some shops to buy tools for the bike.
Saturday July 11 was my first day-off from cycling. After my breakfast, I relaxed
and took many opportunities for quiet reflection. I joined a British group of pilgrims and
did the Stations of the Cross. After each station we recited, “Grant that I may always love
you and then do with me whatever you wish”. This was greatly encouraging for I honestly
wasn't sure why I was being “sent” into Africa.
Mysecondandthirddays-offwereagainfilledwithmass,quietreflection,andpro-
cessions. For me, being in Lourdes was a tremendous way to be still and recharge my bat-
teries. As I sat in the grotto, I decided that it was time to move on. I returned to my hostel
and prepared for an early departure the next morning.
After my wakeup call and a full breakfast, I left Pax Christi and made a final visit
to the Grotto. I promised Holy Mary that I would say the Rosary daily and asked her if
She would just keep an eye on me during the tour. It was a promise I kept for everyday of
this tour. She kept her promise for each night I didn't know where I was to sleep and yet I
always found a safe place with good company. I filled my water bottles from the taps near
the Grotto and then went to mass. The sermon discussed the idea that it is in our failures