Beginning Day ~ May 16, 2016

  • Monday, May 16, 2016
  • Day 16 (Day 13 Camino)
  • Anglès
  • Distance: 12 miles (5% tarmac) 191 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 1,521 feet and descent 1,432 feet
  • Time: 5 1/4 hours
  • Weather: 50-60 degrees, breezy blue skies with clouds

Beginning the day.

  1. Anglès – Gîte d’étape communal
  2. Towards Anglès – classic painted “balisage” (markers) being replaced by metal reflective signs
  3. Towards Anglès – newer metal reflective signs

Lake ~ May 15, 2016

  • Sunday, May 15, 2016
  • Day 15 (Day 12 Camino)
  • La Salvetat-sur-Agout
  • Distance: 13 1/2 miles (5% tarmac) 179 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 1,491 feet and descent 1,950 feet
  • Time: 7 hours
  • Weather: 45- 60 degrees, 16 mph wind, cloudy

Lake.  My non-waterproof trail running shoes have now taken in water.

  1. Towards La Salvetat-sur-Agout – Lac de Laouzas
  2. Towards La Salvetat-sur-Agout – Lac de Laouzas
  3. Towards La Salvetat-sur-Agout

Tall ~ May 15, 2016

  • Sunday, May 15, 2016
  • Day 15 (Day 12 Camino)
  • La Salvetat-sur-Agout
  • Distance: 13 1/2 miles (5% tarmac) 179 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 1,491 feet and descent 1,950 feet
  • Time: 7 hours
  • Weather: 45- 60 degrees, 16 mph wind, cloudy

Tall. Powerful.

  1. Towards La Salvetat-sur-Agout
  2. Towards La Salvetat-sur-Agout
  3. La Salvetat-sur-Agout – Romanesque chapel of Saint-Étienne-de-Cavalluzzo, C11th

Short ~ May 15, 2016

  • Sunday, May 15, 2016
  • Day 15 (Day 12 Camino)
  • La Salvetat-sur-Agout
  • Distance: 13 1/2 miles (5% tarmac) 179 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 1,491 feet and descent 1,950 feet
  • Time: 7 hours
  • Weather: 45- 60 degrees, 16 mph wind, cloudy

Short, but powerful.

  1. Towards La Salvetat-sur-Agout
  2. Towards La Salvetat-sur-Agout
  3. Towards La Salvetat-sur-Agout – lizard top right

Beware Postal Truck ~ May 14, 2016

  • Saturday, May 14, 2016
  • Day 14 (Day 11 Camino)
  • Murat-sur-Vèbre
  • Distance: 14 1/2 miles (5% tarmac) 166 total miles
  • Ascent 3,174 feet and descent 1,528 feet
  • Time: 7 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 45- 60 degrees, 18 mph wind, cloudy

I collapsed on the first paved lane after a difficult climb. Gipsey Kings played through my earbuds (Celine Dian wasn’t cutting it for hard climbing). Wouldn’t you know the only vehicle seen all day, a postal truck, crested the lane and almost ran me over. Next time I’ll be more cautious where I collapse.

  1. Castaret-le-Haut
  2. Castaret-le-Haut
  3. Murat-sur-Vèbre – Chambre d’hôtes – Gîte L’Etape des Menhirs

Geo-Change ~ May 14, 2016

  • Saturday, May 14, 2016
  • Day 14 (Day 11 Camino)
  • Murat-sur-Vèbre
  • Distance: 14 1/2 miles (5% tarmac) 166 total miles
  • Ascent 3,174 feet and descent 1,528 feet
  • Time: 7 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 45- 60 degrees, 18 mph wind, cloudy

Today marks a geographic change. Morning water flows towards the Mediterranean Sea while afternoon water flows towards the ocean. Rugged mountains are replaced by rounded rolling mountains making for easier walking.

  1. Towards Murat-sur-Vèbre
  2. Towards Murat-sur-Vèbre
  3. Towards Murat-sur-Vèbre

Step, Step, Step ~ May 13, 2016 

  • Friday 13, 2016
  • Day 13 (Day 10 Camino)
  • Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar
  • Distance: 20 miles (5% tarmac) 150 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 3,361 feet and descent 3,159 feet
  • Time: 9 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 45- 60 degrees, 18 mph wind, cloudy with rain sprinkles

Step, step, step…will today’s walk ever be done?

Today is one of the most demanding days in terms of climbing and distance.  Seven of us constantly weave between solitude and companionship.

Along The Way, gigantic pine trees rise perfectly erect from 55 degree slopes.

  1. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar
  2. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar
  3. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar

Beauty…France ~ May 13, 2016

  • Friday 13, 2016
  • Day 13 (Day 10 Camino)
  • Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar
  • Distance: 20 miles (5% tarmac) 150 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 3,361 feet and descent 3,159 feet
  • Time: 9 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 45- 60 degrees, 18 mph wind, cloudy with rain sprinkles

Proportions, color, light, texture, balance…art is everywhere in France.

  1. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar
  2. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar
  3. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar

Mama Mia ~ May 13, 2016

  • Friday 13, 2016
  • Day 13 (Day 10 Camino)
  • Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar
  • Distance: 20 miles (5% tarmac) 150 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 3,361 feet and descent 3,159 feet
  • Time: 9 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 45- 60 degrees, 18 mph wind, cloudy with rain sprinkles

Mamma Mia! This Italian carries beer plus camping gear. He even serves the brew in a cup.

This Italian couple are the only non-retired pilgrims I have met in ten days. They walk on a shoe-string budget camping in the wild, on church property or being taken-in by the locals or paying for the occasional Gîte when the rain is hard.

My heart soars every time I see them. Who could resist their smile?

  1. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar
  2. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar
  3. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar