In Aire-sur-l’Adour you follow the river into town in the late afternoon. Your feet tell you what kind of day it was. There was no tough climb. From Nogaro you walk across open farmland and along gentle hills, where you hardly gain or lose any height.
It’s that very calm that makes the day tough. Around 28 kilometres is a long way, and on a flat stretch with little to distract you, time passes slowly. You walk for well over 7 hours, often with only fields, clouds and your own thoughts for company. That can be wonderful. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of gritting your teeth. Walk at your own pace and take your breaks, and you’ll find yourself in Aire before you know it.