Lourdes

For the first time in many years, I shall not be boarding the TGV from Brussels to Bordeaux tomorrow morning.

Visiting a very quiet Lourdes at Christmas had become an enjoyable  tradition and a shelter from the shameless commercialisation and hypocrisy which seem to be welded to the holiday. Down there I found the real spirit of Christmas ...

This year, only three people were interested in making the journey, so the trip was canceled by the agency. And I decided not to go on my own ; it wouldn't be the same anyway. But nobody can take away the very beautiful memories I have collected over the years.