This was the day I gave over to not going anywhere, and giving my feet time to heal.  It has been a good day, divided between watching the Pope’s funeral, having a good afternoon rest, and then going back to the bar where I watched the funeral to see the England vs France women’s rugby match (England 43-42 France – very exciting).

Mont de Marsan has an excellent market on Saturdays, and walking round that was a pleasure as all French markets are.

I was glad to witness the Pope’s funeral. Above all, it was basically a rather straightforward Requiem Mass, as one would have expected of this Pope, very well-conducted by the Dean of the College of Cardinals. I thought the readings were just right, and the eulogy drew on the key themes of Francis’s papacy with some force. Musically, I was sorry that we didn’t get some rather more beautiful music from, for example, Palestrina, but then, we are spoilt for church musicians in England compared with pretty much anywhere on the continent. It needn’t have detracted from the powerfully communitarian mood, but might have just elevated the whole.

It was encouraging to note that by this evening I was walking around without noticing my feet. So I know that I am ready for the road tomorrow. Wish me luck!