Following our recent story on Worcester parishioner Frank Tota, cycling 800 miles to join the Diocesan Pilgrimage in Lourdes, he has begun sharing reflections from his incredible journey. Frank is fundraising for an overseas Medical Centre.

Below Frank has captured his daily activities and highlights from day 15 to day 17.

Please sponsor Frank if you can, thank you

Day 17. Thursday 21 May, cycling pilgrimage from Worcester to Lourdes

Damazan - Rest day

First things first! Find a laundrette in Damazan. It's an al fresco laundrette.

Walking to the laundrette I passed the Canal du Midi in Damazan, which is right along the Canal de Garonne, making it an excellent stop or starting point for cycling and walking.

No sooner do I find out about the appeal of cycling through Damazan, than I meet Diddier and Luke in the Town Square. They are on a cycling tour around this beautifulpart of France. It seems that Diddier is pulling most of the baggage. Diddier talked to me about his love of all things rugby and his animated demeanor proved the point to me. He also showed me his scars from rugby related injuries. Two cruciate knee ligament operations, one on either leg. Ouch! 

The bastide, (a fortified village) of Damazan was originally named CASTRUM-COMITALE (Count's Castle) to recall that it had been built under the inspiration and by order of the Count of Poitiers, its overlord, brother of Saint Louis, King of France. Its foundation dates from 1259. A subject of Franco-English rivalry during the Hundred Years' War, it was captured and recaptured on several occasions and later suffered from religious conflicts. One of the towers has been restored as well as the fortfied wall.

Day 16. Wednesday 20 May, cycling pilgrimage from Worcester to Lourdes 

Bergerac - Damazan

I had a very good journey and arrived safely at my destination. This is a beautiful part of France and at last there is sunshine!

I have decided to go for a walk and explore the town.

I will give a further update tomorrow which is going to be a rest day.

Continuation....

The Tour de France returns to Bergerac in 2026! Bergerac will be the finish town of a stage which will go all around the Dordogne from Périgueux. In the Town Square is a creative and artistic floral design, which uses the images of bicycle wheels as the standout feature. It looks much better in reality than in my photograph.

My ride to Damazan took me over the River Garonne and past fields of vineyards. The Garonne canal runs alongside the river and dates from the mid-19th century. It connects Toulouse to Castets-en-Dorthe. The remainder of the route to Bordeaux uses the river Garonne. It is the continuation of the Canal du Midi which connects the Mediterranean with Toulouse.

After arriving in Damazan and totting up my mileage, I realised that I have now cycled over 800 miles since leaving Worcester on 5th May. Originally, my plan was to ride the shortest route to Lourdes but I changed my mind when I saw how close Nevers was to my route. The resting place of St Bernadette was something that I felt couldn't be left out of my pilgrimage. By the time I reach Lourdes I will have cycled over 900 miles.

Day 15. Tuesday 19 May, cycling pilgrimage from Worcester to Lourdes  

Thiviers - Begerac

The Entente cordiale is as strong as ever!

At 08.30 today I said au revoir to Silvan and Marie, my lovely hosts. Silvan is a huge fan of rugby and has followed the French team to all the stadiums in the 6 Nations tournament. 

My route to Bergerac took me on the Périgueux bike trail, which is full of beautiful scenery. It also helped that the weather was warm and sunny, making cycling a pleasure rather than a chore.

I passed through the small commune of Sanilhac, which was in the process of building its very own Pump Track, a mini Tour de France, if you will.

Later on the journey, I cycled into a small town named, Vergt which was decorated with bunting. I wanted to know why, so I asked two old French men chatting away, if they spoke English. Well! One of the two men started to speak to me in English and his accent could have put him in the Queen Vic, in the EastEnders soap drama. He had been living in France for 40 years but his London accent was even older.

The town of Vergt had just celebrated its annual strawberry festival on Sunday 17th. The Périgord strawberry is harvested from spring to early autumn, depending on the variety. Six months of pleasure, guaranteed.

Photos from Frank's Adventure