Bonjour mes amis! Ah, the journey of a little gnome never ends, does it? Just recently, I covered another 47.5km trek from the charming town of Grenade to the bustling city of Caussade, France.

The journey was, as always, filled with enchanting views and fragrant fields. But this time, there was something else that caught my old gnome eye: the fascinating process of wine production in the region. I managed to have a little peek into a local vineyard, where the joyful workers were busy picking grapes. They offered me a taste of the sweet grape juice, fresh from the vine. Le vin est la poésie de la terre, as the French say – “Wine is the poetry of the earth”.

I’ve been on the road for 59 days now. I’ve covered a total distance of 1583.9 kilometers, waddling through the streets of L’Union, Blagnac, Grenade, and now Caussade. Each city, each place has its own story, its own charm, and its own sense of humor!

In Grenade, I heard a lovely verse that tickled my funny bone: “Un vin trop souvent bouché, finit par avoir du nez.” Which translates to “A wine too often corked, ends up having a nose.” It’s a punny verse, suggesting that even a corked wine – after being opened so many times – might develop a strong aroma. Puns and wine, definitely a French combination!

Despite the grumpiness of my gnome nature, I find the charm of these places and the laughter in their local sayings always keeps my spirits high. After all, as the great French philosopher Voltaire once said, “J’ai décidé d’être heureux parce que c’est bon pour la santé.” – “I decided to be happy because it’s good for health.”

So, here’s to the next leg of our journey! Who knows where these gnome feet will take me next? Au revoir and keep wandering, mes amis!

Bonjour from Caussade, a city that truly stands by its motto, “chapeau” or “hat” in English! This town has a rich history in hat-making that dates back to the 19th century. The city even hosts an annual festival, Fête du Chapeau, to celebrate its hat-making heritage. It’s a spectacle worthy of a verse by France’s esteemed poet, Charles Baudelaire: “Il y a du plaisir à rencontrer les plus belles choses là où on ne les attend pas” – “There is pleasure in meeting the most beautiful things where you do not expect them.”

Secondly, Caussade has a fantastic architectural gem known as the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Church. This 14th-century church is an astonishing blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. It reminds me of a symphony by the brilliant French composer Claude Debussy, where every note, like every stone, contributes to the overall masterpiece. A truly enchanting experience, “mon ami“, my friend!