Author: Linda

Turf – May 30, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #17 Montfaucon-en-Velay / St-Jeures
  • Distance: 12.7 miles / Total 221.6 miles
  • Ascent: 1,448’ / Descent: 1,007’
  • Time: 7 hours 0 minutes
  • Weather: 55-60°/ overcast, blue skies with clouds

Today’s turf.

Ever wonder where all the rain goes?
Clouds. Not rain clouds.
The walking goal for today is church centered on horizon. No hurry. No rain.
Tonight’s Gîte.  Ooh La La.

Folks – May 30, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #17 Montfaucon-en-Velay / St-Jeures
  • Distance: 12.7 miles / Total 221.6 miles
  • Ascent: 1,448’ / Descent: 1,007’
  • Time: 7 hours 0 minutes
  • Weather: 55-60°/ overcast, blue skies with clouds

Folks in passing.

Farmer. 1805 date on transom.
He owns Pork and Beams.
She carries a wine glass. Go French.
A collection of hikers. None carry a wine glass. French?
Cappuccino, good anytime.

More – May 29, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #16 Les Setoux / Montfaucon-en-Velay
  • Distance: 11.4 miles / Total 208.9 miles
  • Ascent: 1,260’ / Descent: 2,004’
  • Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 55-65°/ overcast, 10-minute rain, patchy sun (7th day of rain)

It worked for Madonna. Her titled song “More inspired these photographs.

Spiraling stamen.
Make a wish and blow.
He stopped and asked directions.
That way.

Franck- May 29, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #16 Les Setoux / Montfaucon-en-Velay
  • Distance: 11.4 miles / Total 208.9 miles
  • Ascent: 1,260’ / Descent: 2,004’
  • Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 55-65°/ overcast, 10-minute rain, patchy sun (7th day of rain)

Franck has been following me since Genèva. He kept noticing my name in the church guest books. Last night he finally caught up with me. We were staying at the same Gîte. Serendipity. We had the most pleasant conversations. I left first this morning knowing he would catch up with me. We walked a bit then Franck pushed ahead at his faster pace. At the next church to his astonishment he saw my signature in the church book. While he stopped for a coffee, I had walked past unnoticed. He caught up with me at the end of the town. Now I follow Franck. I will sign my name under his name in church guest books.

Gîte Le Combalou is where Franck caught up with me. Host Fred was truly special choosing to take time between preparing our meal and cutting the grass to talk. I suggested a goat could do his lawn.
Franck catches up to me.
Franck moves ahead at his pace. I am honored to be his closest connection on this Camino.
“What! I am still following Linda.” Franck.
Franck catches up to Linda. Like the story of the hare and the tortoise. Slow and steady wins.

All – May 29, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #16 Les Setoux / Montfaucon-en-Velay
  • Distance: 11.4 miles / Total 208.9 miles
  • Ascent: 1,260’ / Descent: 2,004’
  • Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 55-65°/ overcast, 10-minute rain, patchy sun (7th day of rain)

All in a day’s walk.

Leaving Gîte.
Stone bridge.
He rides the horses for pleasure.
At each intersection my head rotates like an owl’s head turning in search for its next meal. Looking all around, I scan for the direction signs. The signs are uniformly placed at a height of 5 1/2 feet high. No sign at this junction. I drop my gaze and found a sign cleverly left by another pilgrim.

Business

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #16 Les Setoux / Montfaucon-en-Velay
  • Distance: 11.4 miles / Total 208.9 miles
  • Ascent: 1,260’ / Descent: 2,004’
  • Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 55-65°/ overcast, 10-minute rain, patchy sun (7th day of rain)

Logging must be big business from all the stacks of logs seen. Perhaps logging is done in winter when the ground is frozen so tires don’t get mired in mud. The exception was today’s tractor. All I spied was the crane towering above the trees noisily turning, twisting, lowering, and raising its clamp to move cut trees. It was as if a mythical character’s arm shot out of the ground to grab trees.

Logging.
Count the rings. Know the age.
Logs.
Logs.

Mail – May 29, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #16 Les Setoux / Montfaucon-en-Velay
  • Distance: 11.4 miles / Total 208.9 miles
  • Ascent: 1,260’ / Descent: 2,004’
  • Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 55-65°/ overcast, 10-minute rain, patchy sun (7th day of rain)

You’ve got mail. The only vehicle seen walking was the ubiquitous yellow French mail truck.

Seeing me sitting by the road, the mail woman stopped to see if I was okay.
Damsel who appeared in distress was simply taking off rain gear.
Photograph courtesy of the post woman.
Most of the day’s walk was on logging roads.
Most roads in worse conditions.
Looks familiar? Make and wish and blow.

Climbing- May 28, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #15 / Bourg Argental / Les Setoux
  • Distance: 11.6 miles / Total 197.5 miles
  • Ascent: 2,219’ / Descent: 270’
  • Time: 7 hours 0 minutes
  • Weather: 55-65°/ blue sky with white clouds

Climbing with fantastic views.

Welcome change from yesterday’s rain.
Clouds cast shadows.
House with a view.
Three Pines. Inspiration for the setting of author Louise Penny’s novels.

Encounters – May 28, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #15 / Bourg Argental / Les Setoux
  • Distance: 11.6 miles / Total 197.5 miles
  • Ascent: 2,219’ / Descent: 270’
  • Time: 7 hours 0 minutes
  • Weather: 55-65°/ blue sky with white clouds

Today’s encounters.

I never know where the distinct yellow French post truck will appear.
Patchwork sections of the forest have been cut. Long unbelievably straight tree trunks are stacked by the road waiting to be hauled. The road condition can be judged by the size of the tractor’s tires.
Cool. My Camino has a street sign.
Frank tells me he has been following me since Genèva. Churches have a guest book that visitors sign. He has seen my name written since Genèva. Now he caught up to the elusive name.