Bonjour mes amis! Ah, what a journey it has been! Today, I’ll take you along on my 17.1km trek from Blagnac to Grenade, right here in the heart of beautiful France. They say the journey is the destination, but I think they just haven’t walked as much as I have!

As I strolled along the banks of the River Garonne, I couldn’t help but marvel at the serene beauty of the French countryside. But the highlight of this journey, my dear readers, was my encounter with a group of local school children. They were on a field trip, learning about their town’s history, and the sight of a traveling gnome certainly piqued their curiosity. It’s not every day you see a gnome on the move, after all. They practiced their English with me, and in return, I learned a few words of French. “Un lutin voyageur“, they called me, a traveling gnome.

I’ve been on the road for 58 days now, walking an impressive 1536.5 kilometers through the likes of Toulouse, L’Union, Blagnac, and now Grenade. Each city, each town, each tiny village has its own vibrant story to tell, and I’m here to listen, one step at a time.

Here’s a phrase I learned from the children, “Le monde est un livre dont chaque pas nous ouvre une page.” The world is a book, and each step opens a page. How apt for a gnome like me!

A local song they taught me goes like this, “Sur le pont d’Avignon, On y danse, on y danse…” (On the bridge of Avignon, we dance, we dance…) The simplicity and joy of this song is so infectious, just like the spirit of the French people.

In the words of the great philosopher Voltaire, “Il est encore plus facile de juger de l’esprit d’un homme par ses questions que par ses réponses.” It is easier to judge the mind of a man by his questions rather than his answers. So, mes amis, keep those questions coming.

I’m off to my next stop, Caussade. Until then, au revoir and remember: every journey starts with a single step. Or in my case, a tiny gnome step!

A toute à l’heure!

Bonjour from Grenade, a city steeped in rich culture and history! This city is home to the beautiful Church of Notre-Dame, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. “C’est magnifique!” as the French would say – it’s magnificent!

Grenade is also known for its vibrant market, a tradition dating back to the 13th century. As I perused the stalls, I couldn’t help but think of Paul Cézanne, the great French artist known for his still lifes. Grenade’s market could have easily been one of his colorful paintings. The variety of produce, cheeses, and meats made me exclaim, “Quelle abondance!” – What abundance!

Grenade has certainly made a mark on this grumpy gnome’s heart. It’s a city where history and culture are as abundant as the goods in its markets. I can’t wait to see where my journey takes me next!