Category: Caminos

• Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #19 St Julien-Chapteuil / Le Puy-en-Velay
• Distance: 13 miles / Total 246.6 miles
• Ascent: 624’ / Descent: 1,978’
• Time: 7 hours 0 minutes
• Weather: 45-55°/ light rain, overcast (9th day of rain)

Much of the walk to Le Puy-en-Velay was on the road and in the rain. Once in Le Puy, the walk was along a quiet city promenade by the river. The cathedral is located in the old center, a tangle of streets. At the cathedral, I sensed more of the religious aspect of the Santiago de Compostelle Camino as this is a major starting point for the Camino. It is where I started ten years ago to walk 1,000 miles. I’m surrounded by many eager pilgrims who will start their walk tomorrow. I feel new anticipation. I have now walked across France from Swiss border to Spanish border.

• Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #19 St Julien-Chapteuil / Le Puy-en-Velay
• Distance: 13 miles / Total 246.6 miles
• Ascent: 624’ / Descent: 1,978’
• Time: 7 hours 0 minutes
• Weather: 45-55°/ light rain, overcast (9th day of rain)

Few attractive moments between the rain.

• Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #18 St-Jeures / St Julien-Chapteuil
• Distance: 12 miles / Total 233.6 miles
• Ascent: 1,239’ / Descent: 1,978’
• Time: 7 hours 0 minutes
• Weather: 42-50°/ light rain, hail, overcast (8th day of rain)

Amazingly I have met another solo woman pilgrim. At 78, Godeleine is my inspiration. Godeleine’s name is “God + leiven” (Flemish word for “love” or “liven” in German). She has the same name as Mozart: Amadeus. This amazing woman even navigates “What’s Ap” faster than me.

• Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #18 St-Jeures / St Julien-Chapteuil
• Distance: 12 miles / Total 233.6 miles
• Ascent: 1,239’ / Descent: 1,978’
• Time: 7 hours 0 minutes
• Weather: 42-50°/ light rain, hail, overcast (8th day of rain)

Moments of spectacular sites come between the rain and hail.

• Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #18 St-Jeures / St Julien-Chapteuil
• Distance: 12 miles / Total 233.6 miles
• Ascent: 1,239’ / Descent: 1,978’
• Time: 7 hours 0 minutes
• Weather: 42-50°/ light rain, hail, overcast (8th day of rain)

Daily bread from the local boulangerie is customary. Always the passing of friendly words.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

Animal kingdom.

• 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.

• 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.