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.

l’Estrade to Espalion

We had a lovely stop last night with wine compris and a shot if something very strong after dinner. Was so bad that they dipped sugar cubes into it and then sucked the liquid out of the cube.

Today we drop in elevation to Le Lot river. Again there are numerous ups and downs. We are both suffering but still keep pushing ourselves onward. We stop for a coffee in Saint Come-d’olt, if we had found something open we would have stopped. But alas there was nowhere, and google said it was only 5km to go.

Well that was a lie because after 5km there was still another 4km to go.

We eventually get to le Lot but are soon taken up a massive hill past a statue of the virgin Mary before eventually descending to our destination.

Today is festival day and we can hear the noise from the heights over 1km away. On our final walk along the river we spot a camp ground with cabins and we both decide a rest day is called for.

Nasbinals to l’Estrade

Finding our gite last night was closed we stayed in an hotel for the night. So this morning it was a walk back into town. What last night seemed to be 5km. turns out to be only 500m this morning.

A quick top up of provisions and it’s off we go again.

It does matter where we start from there always seems to be an uphill out of town. Today is no exception.

Again the walk is a mix of pasture and woods. The fields are seperated by stone walls and with the sweeping hills and rock outcrops remi ds my of Dartmoor.

Although we are now leaving the platau there is still a lot of up hill walking. Again the gps on the phone doesn’t seem to be tracking us and perhaps I should have gone for the extra weight and brought my Garmin.

Saint Alban-sur-Limagnole to Aumont-Aubrac

Today started off overcast and a little cool. So it was on with a thermal top and coat. After getting our provisions it was back on the road again.

After a short stretch on the road it was soon off onto tracks and across the French country side.

Having had a day of ups and a day of downs today was a day that every up seemed to have a down, and every down had an up. We are currently on the central platau at 1200m having started today at 1000m and after an initial climb of 200m there were several undulations of about 80m.

Overall a very pleasant stroll, even if it was 15km.

Le Sauvage to Saint Alban-sur-Limagnole.

Today as we looked out of our window our view was obscured. Gone were the distant views, these were now hidden by mist. We packed and went down for breakfast.

Again it was bread and coffee, only this time there were no cups, only bowls. The French were dipping the bread into their coffee ir chocolate before consuming it. I’m not sure why they did this as the bread wasn’t stale.

As we exited the gite we had to start off into a head wind. This was when I realised that the day wasn’t misty but we were up in the clouds.

With rain coat and cape we both proceeded onto the chemin yet again.

The damp air, it wasn’t really bad enough to call rain, didn’t dampen our spirits and we both soon burst into song.

We eventually descended enough to get out of the clouds and we both enjoyed our walk into Saint Alban-sur-Limagnole.