Day 12, April 18
21 miles, 124 miles total
Altitude: 2,132 feet
Weather: warm and overcast 38-62F
Golinhac
Church of Saint-Pierre-de-Bessejouls is one of the oldest churches on the Camino. The ground level floor has an elaborate gold 11th-century alter. Climbing a stairwell scarcely wider than my shoulders leads to the second level with a 9th-century alter. On the third floor was the bell. Try as I might, I could not find those steps.
Day 11, April 17
14 miles, 103 miles total
Altitude: 1,263 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 45-62F
Saint-Come d’Olt
Having done the Camino many times, a pilgrim said he once began walking from his home to the airport in Dublin as that was the only way over the Irish Sea.
I replied I began at Le Puy as that was the start of this particular route of The Way to Santiago.
The Irish pilgrim said that the Le Puy route actually begins in Geneva, which begins in Zurich, which really begins somewhere else. The Way is as long as string; however, how long is a piece of string?
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Day 11, April 17
14 miles, 103 miles total
Altitude: 1,263 feet
Weather: warm & sunny 45-62F
Saint-Come d’Otl
In memory of Jerry Wadsworth
Peace to his family and friends from the Cathedril Saint-Come d’Otl.
Day 11, April 17
14 miles, 103 miles total
Altitude: 1,263 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 45-62F
Saint-Come d’Olt
Amazing! How much good fortune can one have? It even has a heated towel rack in the bathroom. Yes, those are my clothes on the line. Espace Angel Merci-Couvent de Malet. hhtp:/www.hotel-gite-aveyron.com
Day 11, April 17
14 miles, 103 miles total
Altitude: 1,263 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 45-62F
Saint-Come d’Olt
Dedicated to Mickey, John’s beloved chein who died today
The Chemins de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle has considerable chapels dedicated to St Roch. After his pilgrimage to Rome, he devoted his life to caring for plague victims. When he contracted the plague, he withdrew to live in the forest. He was accompanied by his faithful dog who brought the saint his daily food and is said to have often carried a loaf of bread in his mouth. The plague left an unsightly sore on his left thigh. St Roch is depicted in art with the front flap of his coat turned back to warn people to keep away.
Day 11, April 17
14 miles, 103 miles total
Altitude: 1,263 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 45-62F
Saint-Come d’Olt
The community oven in l’Estrade has been turned into hospitality shelter offering coffee, tea, or orange juice for pilgrims. Our coffee was interrupted by two farmers driving cows down the hamlet lane.
The Camino provides. The web of connections expands. Having gotten rid of my “heavy” coins, “Pilgrim Corsica” donated a euro for me. Having muscle pain, I pulled out a couple of Advil from my pack and handed them to him. In turn, “Pilgrim Corsica” having met a pilgrim with knee issues shares one Advil with him.
Day 11, April 17
14 miles, 103 miles total
Altitude: 1,263 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 45-62F
Saint-Come d’Olt
The sound of a stream is heard before seeing it. As if an infinant bow is drawn across a violin, the rushing sound of water fills the air. Once reaching the bank of the stream, I joined other pilgrims enjoying a reprieve from their backpack and shoes. Icy water slowly numbs the weary feet.
Neptune’s Muse I have met several times. Tall and svelte, she moves with the grace of a dancer. Surely this Barthelona beauty would have captured Neptune’s heart.
Day 10, April 16
15 miles, 89 miles total
Altitude: 2,887 feet (decent 1,500 feet in 5 miles)
Weather: warm and sunny 27-60F
Saint-Chely-d’Aubrac
With deliberation three times a day I stop to tend to my feet. As Benjimin Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Feet are checked for any hint of irritation and are “aired.” Socks are rotated and placed in opposite feet.
Day 10, April 16
15 miles, 89 miles total
Altitude: 2,887 feet (decent 1,500 feet in 5 miles)
Weather: warm and sunny 27-60F
Saint-Chely-d’Aubrac
Just because they are so pretty. Spring in France.
Day 10, April 16
15 miles, 89 miles total
Altitude: 2,887 feet (decent 1,500 feet in 5 miles)
Weather: warm and sunny 27-60F
Saint-Chely-d’Aubrac
10,000 pilgrims (20,000 feet) walked Chemin de Saint-Jacques de Compostelle in 2008. So, if you find yourself trotting someplace without footprints chances are you are off course. Such was my case for five minutes today before I righted my route.
I walked through patches of melting snow and rivets of water with ice crystals before the 1,500 feet decent.
Linda Scandore 