Category: Caminos

Dog – May 26, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #13 Roches-de-Condrieu / Le Briat
  • Distance: 12 miles / Total 172.3 miles
  • Ascent: 1,169’ / Descent: 303’
  • Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 65-75°/ blue sky with clouds, overcast, light rain (5th day of rain)

While eating a bit of bread and cheese this dog snipped it out of my hands as nimbly as a person who pickpockets takes a wallet. He frequents the town’s cheese mongers for formage.

This dog has quite the history. After the second time he boarded a train to Lyon and was send home by return train, the conductor said if it happens a third time the dog will have to buy a ticket. The conductor knew which train the dog should board from his ID collar.

Not the typical face of a thief or hobo.
Dog is eying the formage tray.
Return walking along Rhône River.

Rhône River.

Jigsaw – May 25, 2024

Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #12 St Romain-de-Surieu / Roches-de-Condrieu

Distance: 11.1 miles / Total 160.3 miles

Ascent: 576’ / Descent: 879’

Time: 6 hours 0 minutes

Weather: 60-75°/ warmest day – blue sky with clouds

It is impossible to capture the panoramic view with a photograph. It is like seeing a whole jigsaw puzzle by looking at one piece of the puzzle.

Early morning fog lifting.
Blue sky.
Getting a feel for a town by sharing a street with the locals. Look in the direction people with baguette in hand are coming and you find the local boulangerie.
Understanding faith by visiting church.

Personal – May 25, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #12 St Romain-de-Surieu / Roches-de-Condrieu
  • Distance: 11.1 miles / Total 160.3 miles
  • Ascent: 576’ / Descent: 879’
  • Time: 6 hours 0 minutes
  • Weather: 60-75°/ warmest day – blue sky with clouds

Images that strike a personal chord for me.

Morning send off from new friends, last night’s hosts.
Having a place in the garden to sit after a walk.
Watching an artisan make pizza.
Watching a bird nest in the trellis vines. Alas, too cold for dining on the terrace.

Local Color – May 24, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #11 Revel-Tourdan / St Romain-de-Surieu
  • Distance: 12.4 miles / Total 149.2 miles
  • Ascent: 700’ / Descent: 1,136’
  • Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 50-65°/ overcast; light rain during walk but arrived dry; blue sky with clouds (4th day of rain)

Local color from local people. The local organic market celebrates its anniversary with music and yummy purple flower plant flavored ice cream.

My hostess Françoise is an avid gardener could not resist several plants.
Françoise buying local cheese.
The local organic chicken came with the head attached. How else can you prove the variety of chicken you purchased?
Music played on a device similar to a player paino.
Host Michel, their dear friend, me, and hostess Françoise.
My hosts are Accueils Jacquards so they take a personal interest in pilgrims like myself. They preserve the true spirit of the Camino.

Pals – May 24, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #11 Revel-Tourdan / St Romain-de-Surieu
  • Distance: 12.4 miles / Total 149.2 miles
  • Ascent: 700’ / Descent: 1,136’
  • Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 50-65°/ overcast; light rain during walk but arrived dry; blue sky with clouds (4th day of rain)

Pals for the day.

Lamb Chop.
Prey eyes are set towards the sides. They can have a wider view for predators.
Predators have eyes set close. They have a narrower field of vision than their prey.
A baby bird shot his head out of the opening with beak wide opened in hopes of dinner. One glimpse of me and he retreated.

Old Souls- May 24, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #11 Revel-Tourdan / St Romain-de-Surieu
  • Distance: 12.4 miles / Total 149.2 miles
  • Ascent: 700’ / Descent: 1,136’
  • Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 50-65°/ overcast; light rain during walk but arrived dry; blue sky with clouds (4th day of rain)

Lunch with some old souls at La Salute Chapel.

La Salute Chapel.
Old souls.
Those not chosen.
Saint Jacques.

Peggy C. – May 24, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #11 Revel-Tourdan / St Romain-de-Surieu
  • Distance: 12.4 miles / Total 149.2 miles
  • Ascent: 700’ / Descent: 1,136’
  • Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 50-65°/ overcast; light rain during walk but arrived dry; blue sky with clouds (4th day of rain)

Peggy C.’s Monticello livestream rebroadcast Roses at Monticello made for the perfect chill out after today’s walk. Now I can better see roses I had been merely looking at.

Clustering roses.
Delicate pink rose.
Single blossom roses.

No Beer – May 23, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #10 Cote-St-Andre / Revel-Tourdan
  • Distance: 14.1 miles / Total 136.8 miles
  • Ascent: 703’ / Descent: 597’
  • Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 50-60°/ overcast; after arriving rain sprinkles and thunder

No beer. At the only local bar everyone was drinking double shots of anise and smoking. When I came in for a glass of wine, windows and doors were flung open. Ash trays removed from the bar. Smokers were relegated to outdoors. In minutes curious locals were chattering in fractured English with me. Rather than feel as if I curtailed their evening, I felt genuinely welcomed.

Locals make me feel welcome.
I pause at every open church.
Walk on by…
It’s amazing how flat and broad the land is between the mountain ranges.
It’s prime for wheat agriculture.

Smile – May 23, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #10 Cote-St-Andre / Revel-Tourdan
  • Distance: 14.1 miles / Total 136.8 miles
  • Ascent: 703’ / Descent: 597’
  • Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 50-60°/ overcast; after arriving rain sprinkles and thunder

Smile for the camera.

Not camera shy.
Charlotte.
Best café for local ambience and tasty meals.
No Apple Wallet pay. No cash register.
Just toss the cash in a drawer.
Only French mice smile.