Author: Linda

Over – June 10, 2024

  • Francès ~ Podiensis Camino – #28 Estaing / Golinhac
  • Distance: 8.9 miles / Total 364.7 miles Ascent: 1,590’ / Descent: 487’
  • Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 70-75°/ blue sky with white clouds

“Over the river and through the woods…”

“Over the River Lot.”
“and through the woods.”
“To grandmother’s house we go .” Oops. “To the Gîte we go.”
Life of a French cow.

Acquaintances – June 10, 2024

  • Francès ~ Podiensis Camino – #28 Estaing / Golinhac
  • Distance: 8.9 miles / Total 364.7 miles
  • Ascent: 1,590’ / Descent: 487’
  • Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 70-75°/ hazy without clouds, heard

Intruders from Le Puy-en-Velay become Camino acquaintances.

Nancy and Giuseppe from Monica, home to Princess Grace. Severine and Annie from la Roche sur Yon.
Always shoeless with devices after walk.
My bathing suit awaits me in Portugal.!!!
All this space and Peter Rabbit is locked in a cages with cousins. So sad.

Medieval – June 9, 2024

  • Francès ~ Podiensis Camino – #27 St Côme d’Olt / Estaing
  • Distance: 13.5 miles / Total 3455.8 miles
  • Ascent: 732’ / Descent: 934’
  • Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
  • Weather: 70-75°/ hazy without clouds, heard

Who isn’t bowled over by Medieval architecture?

Medieval church.
Medieval bridge. Okay, Roman bridge.
Medieval castle.
Well, almost Medieval. Gîte Saint-Christophe.

Spirit – June 9, 2024

  • Francès ~ Podiensis Camino – #27 St Côme d’Olt / Estaing
  • Distance: 13.5 miles / Total 3455.8 miles
  • Ascent: 732’ / Descent: 934’
  • Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
  • Weather: 70-75°/ hazy without clouds, heard

At the blessing of pilgrims, I was overwhelmed with emotions. Many familiar faces once considered intruders have now become part of my Camino. This is the spirit of the Camino.

Ella from Tunisia. I wonder if she’s heard of the Barbary pirates?
Church with spiral steeple. The inspiration comes from a ledge. A bride was so beautiful the birds began to spiral around and around her.
Church.
Celine’s invitation to mass.

Kismet – June 9, 2024

  • Francès ~ Podiensis Camino – #27 St Côme d’Olt / Estaing
  • Distance: 13.5 miles / Total 3455.8 miles
  • Ascent: 732’ / Descent: 934’
  • Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
  • Weather: 70-75°/ hazy without clouds, heard

Kismet. Once again I meet my two Parisian women met in Le Puy Cathedral. I accept their invitation to attend mass. It was the perfect opportunity to reflect on the people who have blessed my life. The more I remembered, the many more came to mind.

Delightful ladies met in the steps of Le Puy-en-Velay Cathedral.
Espalion Cathedral
Mass.
Busy as bees, these two Parisian women who carry all their camping gear.

Meditation – June 8, 2024

  • Francès ~ Podiensis Camino – #26 St Chély d’Aubrac / St Côme d’Olt
  • Distance: 10.7 miles / Total 342.3 miles
  • Ascent: 840’ / Descent: 2,317’
  • Time: 6 hours 00 minutes
  • Weather: 70-80°/ hazy without clouds

Today I meditate at Couvent de Malet.

Couvent de Malet.
Sadly, the wisteria is not in bloom.
The rose pergola was perfect for meditation.
Vespers.

Happy – June 8, 2024

  • Francès ~ Podiensis Camino – #26 St Chély d’Aubrac / St Côme d’Olt
  • Distance: 10.7 miles / Total 342.3 miles
  • Ascent: 840’ / Descent: 2,317’
  • Time: 6 hours 00 minutes
  • Weather: 70-80°/ hazy without clouds

Happy faces.

Genèva florist heads home.
Hospitality shed from ten years ago still attracts a crowd. Beverage cost has gone from 1€ to 1 1/2€.
Squeezing into a hollow tree trunk.
Dinner Queen got to wear a tiara.

Silence – June 8, 2024

  • Francès ~ Podiensis Camino – #26 St Chély d’Aubrac / St Côme d’Olt
  • Distance: 10.7 miles / Total 342.3 miles
  • Ascent: 840’ / Descent: 2,317’
  • Time: 6 hours 00 minutes
  • Weather: 70-80°/ hazy without clouds

How much space can silence fill?

Pilgrims crossing.
Devoid of human and mechanical sound.
Less talking, more looking.
Respite from a long steep ascent. The only café gets all the business. I upgrade my picnic sandwich for a Greek Salad.

Why? – June 7, 2024

  • Francès ~ Podiensis Camino – #25 Nasbinals / St Chély d’Aubrac
  • Distance: 10.2 miles / Total 331.6 miles
  • Ascent: 711’ / Descent: 1,817’
  • Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 60-70°/ overcast, light rain (12th day of rain)

Why is it when these cows have all the tasty grazing pasture they congregate on the path?

Foolhardy person walking through the herd.
“Head them off at the pass.” Shouts the black cow with the largest horns.
“You move!”
Outnumbered. Outsized.