The gite we stayed in last night was host to a group of walkers, complete with support van. When they arrived a man barged into the kitchen with an electric cool box. Banging into tables and chairs. He promptly set it on the flloor in front of the sink and plugged it into the nearest mains socket. In the evening there bangs and crashes as they went to bed and at 5.00 the rustle of bags as they began packing. By 6.30 they were ready to load the van. Each walker carried more luggage for their weeks walking holiday than Jo and I brought fron NZ for our 3 months away.

Today’s walk started off in the best possible way; on the flat along the river Lot. Our joy was short lived as the way was blocked by the electric company for their dam. So a very, very steep scramble was required to take us back upto the road.

After that it was a mixture of road and tracks. Thankfully most of the tracks were shaded but the roads not so much. We passed a thermometer on a building and it was showing 36°.

We arrived at our booked accomodation to find it deserted and rather spooky. We had booked a double room, but the room contained two bung beds crammed close to each other. Even I felt claustraphobic. We walked into town to find the walking party moving their baggage in. The owner told us the gite was complit.

Not wanting to go back to the haunted gite, we phoned ahead to the next village and booked another room there. Having completed our walk we now find we have another 8km to go.

We set the alarm for 6.00 so that we can get an early start. But after our faffing about it was nsarly 8.30 before we left.

After back tracking 500m on road we are soon back on our chemin which thankfully takes us off road and into shade. The down side is, like any other day, the start is uphill.

The view has changed today and we are walking through more woods a d have entered a park naturel.

Besides passing several castelles we also saw an ancient long barrow.

Oh, we also saw a llama at the pub.

Trying to get started after a rest day is difficult, especially when breakfast is served at anytime from 7.00 – 10.00. But we ma aged quite well and we set off at 7.30 and arrived at the dining room by 7.32. Fruit, cereal, yogyog, croissant, eggs, bacon and 2 coffees later we are ready to pack up our room.

To get us back in chemin mood we have decided on a short walk of 15km. Which was ideal in the heat we have and also where we are staying has a swimming pool

On arrival (90 minutes early) we are shown our accommodation, I am informed that I need swimming togs and I can’t wear shorts. So I have to borrow some.

So a quick shower to get rid of the dust from the road and it’s off to the pool. A nice warm 27°. We will e back later but for now it’s the boring daily ritual of clothes washing.

Today is a rest day. Some think you don’t require one. I have now changed my mind and think that after 6 or 7 days walking a rest is not only required it should be compulsory.

We did venture out to try and find sister Susan’s glasses. We found the gite she had stayed at but unfortunately we were unable to find her specks. Not sure how she’s going to read yhe menus now.

Today entailed yet another climb to start off with, but we had checked this one out on Miam Miam Dodo and it was only about 500mts long. But like any hill seemed to go on forever.

It was hot again today, and apart from a few off road trips through the woods to cut off a corner or bypass a dangerous bit if road, was without shade. The rest was either on tarmac or a narrow strip close by.

Also we covered about 32km. So was had on the feet and mentally getting over our 20km barrier.

Buy Best Western are providing our bed for tonight along with a single course meal of steak and chips.

I am now coming to terms with the saying for every up there is a down. On this walk it has been for every down hill there is an up hill, and last nights entrance to Conque was a very steep down hill. So today started with a very steep uphill. Once completed we were presented with rolling hills again withe little downs and little ups. We travelled along a ridge line a d the views were amazing. Sister Susan would come up with some beautiful description to describe the view, but all I will say is that the view all around was a patchwork of brown and greens.

Weather wise today would have been exceptionally hot, but fortunately there was a cooling breeze most of the day.

Our host this evening not only made a delicious meal but also made Jo speak in French.

Golinhac to Conques

After a lovely breakfast with meat and cheese it’s an early start for us at 8.30. Still cool, well compared to yesterday afternoon, I’m sure it will warm up soon.

As it turned out I was correct and it soon turned hot. The walk was across rolling hills with a steep down hill into Conques.

To over come the heat I soaked my shirt and hat in some cold water, whuch was a god send as Jo wouldn’t let me strip off for world naked hiking day.

The climb down into Conque gave a wonderful view of the town.

After our evening meal on the terrace of the hotel we went to an organ recital at the church, followed by a light show outside

Estaing to Golinhac

A lovely gite last night, with a room to ourselves. We also had a lovely meal by the river.

Today is due to be hotter than yesterday so we will be taking it easy and although the distance is sfated as 12km I’m sure it will end up being longer.

There was a lot of road walking today, luckily we were sheltered from the sun by the trees.

We started off walking on the road walking along the river, thinking that we would be following le Lot for some days I thought the walks would be easy. But the pilgrims before us weren’t keen on taking the easy route so it was up steep hills again. Well not so steep as some on the previous days but in the heat they seemed challenging.

Espalion to Estaing

We left the comfort if our cabin after a leisurely start to the day. Inspection over and it was a 500m walk to our first stop.

COFFEE

When I checked my phone this morning at 8.00 it was already 16C and forecast was for 30C. Not so good having a late start, we will end up walking through the heat of the day.

Again today there were many uphills, which was quite surprising as we both started and finished in le Lot river and as expected it was hot.

Espalion

Today is rest day, a late start to the day. So it was IN to town for a coffee (read 2 coffees each) then off to the shops for breakfast. Melon, yogyog and bread purchased it was OUT of the town back to the cabin to eat, hang out our washing and watch others on the chemin amble past.

Afterwards it was back IN to town for some more shopping and then OUT again for lunch.