On to the next step of our journey. It is mild and cloudy here so the mountains are hidden for the moment, but we did have a good view of them flying in a couple of days ago.
This is a quiet interlude with a chance to rest and plan how to best use our 2.5 days in Paris.
Meanwhile we visit and catch up on life in the Hunziker household...and walk their dog.
Today we have two important items on the calendar....visiting Tristans, the chocolate make several towns away and having filets de perche at the local restaurant. Many who have travelled the world say that the filets de perche served there are the best in the world.
And we are hoping that the weather clears as promised, as we will journey into the mountains tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
Then to Paris by train on Saturday.
We are hearing more and more news of the outside world, most of it not good. We have been pleasantly isolated from much of that, but not for much longer.
More from Paris
Thursday 16 October 2014
Monday 13 October 2014
October 14 Relaxing in Nice
Well here we are on our last day in Nice. It took us one entire day to travel here by train from Cahors. And what a different world! Thousands of red roofs, mountains behind and the turquoise Mediterranean.
I was expecting to feel outclassed in this trendy city of the rich and famous, walking around in my hiking clothes, but Nice is a wonderful melange of all sorts of people, multiple accents on the street and a vast spectrum of attire. We have seen many of the sights here, the old town, the Promenade Anglais, the buildings of the Belle Epoque, and we walked all around the coast from Cqp Ferrat back to the middle of Nice. And yesterday we took the bus to St Paul de Vence, in the rain, and walked around this artsy town perched on a mountain.
And all of this with the wonderful hospitality of Roland and Annette. We have a view of the sea and sky from our flat, all kinds of tourist advice and suggestions and a trip to Italy for lunch. We are so lucky!
Now by plane to Geneva.....a mupti-part trip.
Au revoir for now.
I was expecting to feel outclassed in this trendy city of the rich and famous, walking around in my hiking clothes, but Nice is a wonderful melange of all sorts of people, multiple accents on the street and a vast spectrum of attire. We have seen many of the sights here, the old town, the Promenade Anglais, the buildings of the Belle Epoque, and we walked all around the coast from Cqp Ferrat back to the middle of Nice. And yesterday we took the bus to St Paul de Vence, in the rain, and walked around this artsy town perched on a mountain.
And all of this with the wonderful hospitality of Roland and Annette. We have a view of the sea and sky from our flat, all kinds of tourist advice and suggestions and a trip to Italy for lunch. We are so lucky!
Now by plane to Geneva.....a mupti-part trip.
Au revoir for now.
Wednesday 8 October 2014
Cahors, October 8, I think
Two days ago we arrived in Vers, after a fairly long but not too difficult walk. Unfortunately, even though there was a computer, internet and telephone were down throughout the entire town.....someone had cut a cable. But dinner was very good, yet another cassoulet with duck.....a very good one! No rain, but it was very damp, and nothing dried, so socks pinned to packs again. And our socks which were brand new at the start now have holes...an indicater of the hard walking to which they have been subjected.
Last night we arrived in Cahors. We had anticipated a walk of 11 km, but it turned out to be closer to 20. After a couple of descents on loose rock, it was easy, along the river Lot, and very scenic, passing many vegetable gardens (commercial). One fellow was harvesting radishes, and gave us a couple to taste, both large and different, Asian I think, and a nice addition to lunch, eaten beside a lock. Cahors is large and noise after the peace of the countryside. Our camino cpmpanion, Hubert, whom we have seen multiple times, is of course staying in our hotel, across from the Halles. And today is a huge market day, so we have spent the morning cruising the produce and flea markets.
Tomorrow we will take a train to Nice, having walked about 400 km. It would be nice to continue, but maybe next year. We waved goodbye to Hubert on the old fortified bridge as he continued on to St Jean. We will spend another night above the bar and contemplate our journey. At the moment Richard is investigating the wines of Cahors......an endless task it seems.
Au Revoir for now, my 15 minutes are up here in the tourist bureau. Will update the blog from Nice and Paris. For noz w all is well.
Last night we arrived in Cahors. We had anticipated a walk of 11 km, but it turned out to be closer to 20. After a couple of descents on loose rock, it was easy, along the river Lot, and very scenic, passing many vegetable gardens (commercial). One fellow was harvesting radishes, and gave us a couple to taste, both large and different, Asian I think, and a nice addition to lunch, eaten beside a lock. Cahors is large and noise after the peace of the countryside. Our camino cpmpanion, Hubert, whom we have seen multiple times, is of course staying in our hotel, across from the Halles. And today is a huge market day, so we have spent the morning cruising the produce and flea markets.
Tomorrow we will take a train to Nice, having walked about 400 km. It would be nice to continue, but maybe next year. We waved goodbye to Hubert on the old fortified bridge as he continued on to St Jean. We will spend another night above the bar and contemplate our journey. At the moment Richard is investigating the wines of Cahors......an endless task it seems.
Au Revoir for now, my 15 minutes are up here in the tourist bureau. Will update the blog from Nice and Paris. For noz w all is well.
Sunday 5 October 2014
Sunday October 5 - La Bastide Murat and a computer at last!!!
Now I can catch up on the past couple of days. Public computers are difficult to find here.
Wednesday October 1 - Since we arrived late in Figeqc last night we took a couple of hours to walk the old town, and actually wished we had more time. I really liked this city, nicely restored and with multiple littel squares with shops and cafes. But since we had 21 km to walk , off we went, as the weather cleared. There was a fair amount of uphill, and a few day hikers, but we saw no long distance pilgrims like us. The day seemed endless as we trudged on and on, but finally La Chapelle Marival came into sight where we quickly got rid of our boots and found the town bar to restore ourselves with our newest addiction - Monacos ?sp. The locals were out there in force, and it was fun to sit there in the sun. We are finding this "camino" bereft of companionship as there is nobody else doing the same thing, especially since we have passed Conques, where many walkers were stopping.
Thursday October 2 - Gramat Another 22 km day that got off to a bad start because we missed a turn leaving town. An old lady out walking in her slippers waved to us and told us to turn around, of it would have been worse. All I can remember of this day are an enormous fortified Church in Rudelle and meeting a girl walking with a donkey, who looked better fed than she did. Gramat was an unattractive town for me. and I was happy to leave.
Friday October 3 - Rocamadour. This was a great day. Only a short walk of 12 km starting off with the purchase of excellent local goat cheese at the market. We had no pavement to walk on and quickly descended into the gorge leading up to Rocamadour. On the way we passed one enormous and several smaller ruins of mills (for flour and walnuts). We had our usual picnic lunch in a parking lot, not realizing that jsut around the corner was Rocamadour. And what a spectacle, with all those chapels, churches and the château built into massive cliffs. Being the second most visited site in France, there were of course, quite a few tourists. And there was absolutely no emphasis on the Chemin de Saint Jacques, which I find odd. We did enjoy our day of rest, with 2 nights here, taking in all the sights. The weather was clear and warm and during breakfast, two hot air balloons went up right over the terrace of the hotel where we were staying. We could hear and see the flames and very clearly see the people in the baskets.
Sunday October 5 - La Bastide Murat. We were worried about today on two counts, that the weather would be wet and that the path would not be well marked. But neither happened. We arrived here after walking 28 km and there were actually some flat sections! A miracle! But no people and no cafes and no where to sit down out of the damp. Now here we are with hot coffee and a hot shower and a nice cozy room. We have only two more days of walking, and it does feel like this area at least is nearing the end of its season (our hotel closes in 5 days).
Laundry to be done before dinner and we are starved. Cassoulet perhaps?
Wednesday October 1 - Since we arrived late in Figeqc last night we took a couple of hours to walk the old town, and actually wished we had more time. I really liked this city, nicely restored and with multiple littel squares with shops and cafes. But since we had 21 km to walk , off we went, as the weather cleared. There was a fair amount of uphill, and a few day hikers, but we saw no long distance pilgrims like us. The day seemed endless as we trudged on and on, but finally La Chapelle Marival came into sight where we quickly got rid of our boots and found the town bar to restore ourselves with our newest addiction - Monacos ?sp. The locals were out there in force, and it was fun to sit there in the sun. We are finding this "camino" bereft of companionship as there is nobody else doing the same thing, especially since we have passed Conques, where many walkers were stopping.
Thursday October 2 - Gramat Another 22 km day that got off to a bad start because we missed a turn leaving town. An old lady out walking in her slippers waved to us and told us to turn around, of it would have been worse. All I can remember of this day are an enormous fortified Church in Rudelle and meeting a girl walking with a donkey, who looked better fed than she did. Gramat was an unattractive town for me. and I was happy to leave.
Friday October 3 - Rocamadour. This was a great day. Only a short walk of 12 km starting off with the purchase of excellent local goat cheese at the market. We had no pavement to walk on and quickly descended into the gorge leading up to Rocamadour. On the way we passed one enormous and several smaller ruins of mills (for flour and walnuts). We had our usual picnic lunch in a parking lot, not realizing that jsut around the corner was Rocamadour. And what a spectacle, with all those chapels, churches and the château built into massive cliffs. Being the second most visited site in France, there were of course, quite a few tourists. And there was absolutely no emphasis on the Chemin de Saint Jacques, which I find odd. We did enjoy our day of rest, with 2 nights here, taking in all the sights. The weather was clear and warm and during breakfast, two hot air balloons went up right over the terrace of the hotel where we were staying. We could hear and see the flames and very clearly see the people in the baskets.
Sunday October 5 - La Bastide Murat. We were worried about today on two counts, that the weather would be wet and that the path would not be well marked. But neither happened. We arrived here after walking 28 km and there were actually some flat sections! A miracle! But no people and no cafes and no where to sit down out of the damp. Now here we are with hot coffee and a hot shower and a nice cozy room. We have only two more days of walking, and it does feel like this area at least is nearing the end of its season (our hotel closes in 5 days).
Laundry to be done before dinner and we are starved. Cassoulet perhaps?
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