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.
Day 9, April 15
0 miles, 74 miles total, REST DAY #1
Altitude: 3,818 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 35-56F
Nasbinals
Most church bells ring ding-dong before striking the hour. In this region of France the clocks strike the hour, pause, and strike the hour once more.
Day 9, April 15
0 miles, 74 miles total, REST DAY #1
Altitude: 3,818 feet
Weather: warm and sunny
Nasbinals
Like the threads of a spider’s web, people on the Camino are connected. I met French Christine and Mimi on Day 3. After walking together, I pulled ahead at a quicker pace. Ten minutes later, I missed a turn and became frightened. I actually yelled, “Mimi” in hopes of being heard. Alas, I backtracked and with great relief found them. For the rest of the day I would walk ahead only as far as I could keep them in eye sight. Christine and Mimi became my security blankets allowing me to become more confident. A thread in the web.
Having arrived at Nasbinals I sat outside a cafe with an expresso when along comes a Frenchman who asks if I was the American lady walking the Camino. The French women had spoke of me. A thread in the web.
Kismet! The French ladies arrive with Christine distressed from a backpack with a broken back brace and blisters on her feet. I help administer to her blisters and offer a temporary repair to her backpack. Most of all, I offer her friendship. We will meet in three more days. A threat in the web.
They say the Camino provides…the web grows.
Day 8, April 14
13 miles, 74 miles total
Altitude: 3,818 feet
Weather: warm and sunny
Nasbinals
Two days ago I could touch snow with the tip of my walking pole. Albeit, the snow was no more more than a patch and I was comfortably dressed in shorts.
Today I saw snow on the mountain tops.
Day 7, April 13, Palm Sunday
14 miles, 61 miles total
Altitude: 3,579 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 65F
Lasbros
You can’t judge the beauty of a church by its outside. Chapelle de Bastide in Lasbros is the size of my living room; yet, it leaves one wondering how so much beauty is inside.
Day 7, April 13, Palm Sunday
14 miles, 61 miles total
Altitude: 3,579 feet
Weather: warm and sunny
Lasbros
Random ribbons with written messages of encouragement have been hung in trees. From a distance, they are seen twisting like kites in the breeze. Having read the message-ribbon, I took its advise and took a break. Socks and boots off resting my feet in the cool grass and eating a pear having already ate a mini Paris Brest (eclair like pastry) earlier in day. Pilgrimages do burn calories.
Day 7, April 13, Palm Sunday
14 miles, 61 miles total
Altitude: 3,579 feet
Weather: warm and sunny 65F
Lasbros
Thanks to a google search, I have diagnosed the early signs of a corn. Compeed Corn Patch to the rescue. It’s a great reminder to apply a thin coat of Vasoline on the toes to reduce friction. A runner’s trick.
Day 7, April 13, Palm Sunday
14 miles, 61 miles total
Altitude: 3,579 feet
Weather: warm and sunny
Lasbros
My accommodation, Gite-bungalow Le Champ du Theron, is a real winner. Though able to accommodate four, I am the only guest. It’s outfitted much like a sailboat with cupboard, closets, built in couch with storage space under the cushions, and a microwave. It must be from my vast cooking experience I figured out the French labeled touch pad on the microwave.
Linda Scandore 