Category: Arles

Pain ~ 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

The pain of stopping the Camino is far more painful than the pain that caused you to stop.

Today the Belgium abruptly announced he could go no farther. Knee issues, which began before I met him, caused him to immediately return to Belgium.

Our hearts have tears saying good-bye.

In ten days, I’ve met a dozen pilgrims. Two have had to stop because of complications resulting from walking. I have learned much from those who can’t continue.

  1. Yesterday…Towards Lunas – pausing
  2. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar – Sergio at bus stop
  3. Towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mar – Sergio with a brave smile and a hopeful ride as a hitch-hiker

Knowing the Way ~ May 12, 2016

  • Thursday, May 12, 2016
  • Day 12 (Day 9 Camino)
  • Lunas
  • Distance: 16 1/2 miles (5% tarmac) 131 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 2,778 feet and descent 2,414 feet
  • Time: 7 hours
  • Weather: 60 – 79 degrees, blue skies with clouds

Knowing which way to go is as important as knowing which way not to go.

  1. Towards Lunas – Turn right
  2. Towards Lunas – Cairn marking the way and symbol for “go straight”
  3. Towards Lunas – Wrong turn

Reward ~ May 11, 2016 

  • Wednesday, May 11, 2016
  • Day 11 (Day 8 Camino)
  • Lodève
  • Distance: 10 1/2 miles (95% tarmac – OFF THE WAY BECAUSE OF FLOODING) / 115 total miles
  • Ascent 828 feet and descent 839 feet
  • Time: 4 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 60 degrees

Miles pounded on the road do have reward.

  1. Towards Lodève – Château Alteirac
  2. Towards Lodève – Château Alteirac
  3. Towards Lodève – Château Alteirac

The Flow ~ May 11, 2016

  • Wednesday, May 11, 2016
  • Day 11 (Day 8 Camino)
  • Lodève
  • Distance: 10 1/2 miles (95% tarmac – OFF THE WAY BECAUSE OF FLOOD) / 115 total miles
  • Ascent 828 feet and descent 839 feet
  • Time: 4 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 60 degrees

Go with the flow. Streams, creeks, and rivers were flooded causing us to walk along the road Where upon, we pasted a winery and were offered a glass of superb wine with a note of apricot.  Let the wine flow!

  1. Towards Lodève – Château Alteirac
  2. Towards Lodève – Château Alteirac
  3. Towards Lodève – Château Alteirac

Bright Moments ~ May 10, 2016 

  • Tuesday, May 10, 2016
  • Day 10 Day 7 Camino)
  • Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière
  • Distance: 14 miles (5% tarmac) / 104 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 2,970 feet and descent 2,759 feet
  • Time: 7 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 60 degrees, cloudy, humid with intermediate drizzle

Bright moments for a rainy day.

  1. Towards Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière
  2. Towards Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière – 10€ lunch. Soooo fresh!

Dorothy… ~ May 10, 2016

  • Tuesday, May 10, 2016
  • Day 10 Day 7 Camino)
  • Saint-Jean-de-la-Blaquière
  • Distance: 14 miles (5% tarmac) / 104 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 2,970 feet and descent 2,759 feet
  • Time: 7 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 60 degrees, cloudy, humid with intermediate drizzle

Dorothy, “This ain’t Kansas.”   Wizard of Oz

  1. St-Guilhem-Le-Désert – Abbey de Gellone founded by Count Toulouse. Part of these Cloister have been moved to the NYC Cloisters Museum
  2. Towards St-Guilhem-Le-Désert – Lechstrau du Castellated (Fortress)
  3. Towards St-Guilhem-Le-Désert – Church in hamlet of Le Barry

Topper ~ May 9, 2016

  • Monday, May 9, 2016
  • Day 9 (Day 6 Camino)
  • St-Guilhem-Le-Désert
  • Distance: 14 1/2 miles (35% tarmac) / 90 1/2 total miles
  • Ascent 1,444 feet and descent 1,526 feet
  • Time: 7 1/2 hours
  • Weather: 60 degrees, intermediate to steady drizzle

St-Guilhem-Le -Désert is situated at the top of a mountain.   Maybe tomorrow I climb higher.   Hopefully tomorrow I don’t climb higher.

  1. St-Guilhem-Le-Désert
  2. St-Guilhem-Le-Désert
  3. St-Guilhem-Le-Désert