Chargers - Saints game at Wembley Stadium

Sightseeing

Facade of Westminster Cathedral; bulletin at the entrance showing the schedules.










Facade of Westminster Cathedral; bulletin board at the entrance.

Lourdes Trip 16 - 19 February

Saturday 16 Feb

Got an early wake-up call from Theresa at 2 am to let us know that she's flying to NY for the week-end for business trip for a game expo and has the bragging rights for the first one in the family to go to NY. Really happy for her and good justification for the very early call since we had to get up at 5:00 for our 7:20 flight to Madrid. Way to go Girl!

Sunday 17 Feb

We got up about 8 am, had breakfast at a roadside cafe on the way to the grotto and attended mass at the Rosary Basilica. Visited the grotto afterwards, lighted some candles, took some pictures and headed out for lunch after we found out that the baths were closed for the winter. Had broiled trout with vegetables and fries at the L' Ermitage Restaurant while waiting for the next train.

The Rosary Basilica and the Crowned Statue of Our Lady of Lourdes facing the basilica.

Mass inside the basilica (left) and the main altar (right). The surrounding walls are individual altars portraying the mysteries of the rosary.

A group of pilgrim children in front of the baths (closed for the winter) and a view of the three-tiered church above the grotto (bottom right of the picture) from across the Gave de Pau river.

My lunch of broiled trout with veggies (yummy) and the mini-train (right).

Rode the tourist train to see the town and then got off at the funicular ride to the top of Le Pic du Jer which is a mountain peak overlooking Lourdes. We noticed the last section of the tram was fitted with racks and that there was a lot of mountain bike riders on the ride up. We found out why later on once we got to the top. There is bike trail from the top all the way to the bottom and the riders get a one pass to ride back and forth all day. It was quite a sight to see them plunging down the hill one after the other. We spent some time up there enjoying the view and taking pictures.

The main building serving as the funicular station, ticket office, souvenir store and coffee shop.

Bike racks in the tram and the bikers rushing to get off.

Ready, get set, GOOOO!!!!!

Down the trail passing under the funicular arch supports.

Views from the top and the coffee shop.

View of the tracks on the way down; the uphill tram moving over to the changeover rail.

Bikers lining up for another trip uphill.

Taking a breather; a view of the hill from the parking lot.

We caught the next train back to town, did a bit of shopping and then followed the Way of the Jubilee. Since this year was declared a Jubilee Year for the Apparitions, this was established for pilgrims to follow and visit 4 stages in St. Bernadette's life: the church where she was baptized; the 'Cachot' which is an abandoned prison where her family lived; St. Michael's gate, the Arches and the Grotto; and the Hospital Oratory where she received her first communion. A badge divided in 4 sections were given to each pilgrim and a sticker was provided at each stage to be attached to the badge.

Marker at the main entrance (St. Michaels' Gate) to the sanctuary.

St. Bernadette's house and room.

The 'Cachot'.

The church where she was baptised and the marker in front of the steps.

The church's interior and the baptismal font.

St. Bernadette's statue near the hospital entrance; the hospital where she served.

The hospital's chapel where she received her first communion and a statue of St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Lourdes near the altar.

Visited the Grotto for the final stamp, had dinner afterwards and then attended the evening rosary and procession.

The spring (covered with a protective glass) below the statue; water from the spring is supplied to the baths and the taps to take home; statue of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Candles for special intentions; the grotto.

The night rosary procession forming up in front of the Basilica of the Rosary; procession along the promenade; closing prayers (below).

Monday 18 Feb

Had breakfast at the hotel and then attended mass at the parish church which was officiated by the bishop of Nevers where St. Bernadette's incorrupt body is interred. Bought some snacks, checked out from the hotel and then followed the Way of the Cross up the hill above the grotto.

Some of the Stations (below). You have to follow the stations all the way to the top and then climb down to the other side and coming out behind the cathedral.

Visited the church and grotto once more and then headed out to Tolouse at 3 pm. The trip only took 1.5 hours this time after I programmed the GPS correctly. Returned the rental car, checked in and then waited for the flight to Madrid. Our flight to Jerez was at 7 am the next morning so we ended up spending the night at the airport bench. It was worth the sacrifice after a very meaningful pilgrimage which was also our wedding anniversary celebration.