Linda Scandore

Workers – June 5, 2024

Francès ~ Podiensis Camino -#23 Le Sauvage / Aumont-Aubrac
Distance: 17.6 miles / Total 303.4 miles
Ascent: 1,350’ / Descent: 2,075’
Time: 9 hours 00 minutes
Weather: 60-75°/ blue sky with white clouds

Workers…

Stone mason. Artisan. Old school…by hand and sheer might.

Farms seem to require no more machinery than one versatile Massey Ferguson tractor. The farms seem to be no larger than what one family with one tractor can manage.

When this tractor first passed me I was stunned to see the dog balanced on a green barrel. It turns out the barrel has been cut to form a cradle. The master can continue to work the farm with its senior dog.

Nine hours of walking deserves time to smell the roses.

Lost – June 5, 2024

Francès ~ Podiensis Camino -#23 Le Sauvage / Aumont-Aubrac
Distance: 17.6 miles / Total 303.4 miles
Ascent: 1,350’ / Descent: 2,075’
Time: 9 hours 00 minutes
Weather: 60-75°/ blue sky with white clouds

The log jam of walking pilgrims has passed. I find myself getting lost in my own thoughts.

Share – June 4, 2024

Francès ~ Podiensis Camino -#22 Saugues / Le Sauvage
Distance: 14 miles / Total 285.8 miles
Ascent: 1,699’ / Descent: 611’
Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
Weather: 60-70°/ overcast becoming blue sky with white clouds

Herding cows on a street is quite a novelty for me but routine for the area. These huge docile animals parade all around you without the least bit of interest. Whereas I am as thrilled with their company as if I were riding a roller coaster. This takes share the road to a new level. Imagine the bumper sticker!

Rawhide. Head them up. Move them out. Rawhide.

The herder in red is as patient with the gawkers as she is with the herd.

Nancy and Giuseppe share with me that this is real France. it’s not the usual tourist affair.

Farm Charm – June 4, 2024

Francès ~ Podiensis Camino -#22 Saugues / Le Sauvage
Distance: 14 miles / Total 285.8 miles
Ascent: 1,699’ / Descent: 611’
Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
Weather: 60-70°/ overcast becoming blue sky with white clouds

It felt like returning the an old home place. It was the first working farm Gîte I stayed at ten years ago. No longer are the cows milked on the ground level of the house. That space has been turned into more bedrooms and the second floor of the barn into dining space. Dozens of outdoor picnic tables welcomed pilgrims for their picnics. I introduced myself to the current owner and showed pictures of the Gîte ten years ago. He grinned and explained his parents no longer do the work. Now it’s his business. Ten years ago I was the only guest. Now reservation are full in advance. Its prospered yet has maintained its farm charm.

Ten years ago the cows were milked through that doorway.

Ten years ago, the top left was my bedroom window.

Proud son now runs the farm/gîte with help from his son.

Stroll – June 4, 2024

Francès ~ Podiensis Camino -#22 Saugues / Le Sauvage
Distance: 14 miles / Total 285.8 miles
Ascent: 1,699’ / Descent: 611’
Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
Weather: 60-70°/ overcast becoming blue sky with white clouds

Strolling through the forest.

Gîte! – June 3, 2024

Francès ~ Podiensis Camino -#21 St Privat d’Allier / Saugues
Distance: 12.6 miles / Total 271.8 miles
Ascent: 2,063’ / Descent: 1,702’
Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
Weather: 45-55°/ foggy, light rain (11th day of rain)

Wonderful Gîte Le Chalet du Pèlerin run by former cooking teacher Jean-Claude D. Not only were the meals outstanding but he keeps the true spirit of the Camino alive.

Jean-Claude demonstrated a game. The object is to blow an apricot size rock as far as you can. The rock shot 30 feet from his mouth!

Jean-Claude tromping in German Meindle boots. I wore Meindle boots my first 1,000 mile Camino.

I remembered this walking shop from ten years ago. I bought a pair of Gortex Meindle boots. My feet are happier as they have been wet a good deal.

Bits – June 3, 2024

Francès ~ Podiensis Camino -#21 St Privat d’Allier / Saugues
Distance: 12.6 miles / Total 271.8 miles
Ascent: 2,063’ / Descent: 1,702’
Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
Weather: 45-55°/ foggy, light rain (11th day of rain)

Bits and pieces.

The two Parisian women still carry the “gift” of prepackaged food I refuse to eat. These gutsy frugal women spent the night in a chapel.

A grass roots café is a welcomed respite for pilgrims. Fire burning in June!

Two pilgrims looking at two statues, spiritually and secular.

More – June 3, 2024

Francès ~ Podiensis Camino -#21 St Privat d’Allier / Saugues
Distance: 12.6 miles / Total 271.8 miles
Ascent: 2,063’ / Descent: 1,702’
Time: 7 hours 45 minutes
Weather: 45-55°/ foggy, light rain (11th day of rain)

Making the most of a day long foggy walk.

Crossing bridge built by Gustave Eiffel.

Crossing the bridge built by Gustave Eiffel.

Walking

Francès ~ Podiensis Camino -#20 LePuy-en-Velay / St Privatd’Allier
Distance: 12.6 miles / Total 259.2 miles
Ascent: 1,936’ / Descent: 1,290’
Time: 9 hours 0 minutes
Weather: 45-55°/ light rain, overcast (10th day of rain)

More delight walking now that luggage transportation is available.

Upgrade

Francès ~ Podiensis Camino -#20 LePuy-en-Velay / St Privatd’Allier
Distance: 12.6 miles / Total 259.2 miles
Ascent: 1,936’ / Descent: 1,290’
Time: 9 hours 0 minutes
Weather: 45-55°/ light rain, overcast (10th day of rain)

Experience has taught me to upgrade whenever possible. I was flabbergasted the lunch the seminary sold me had individually prepackaged food with expiration dates well into 2025. Just as soon as I could buy a fresh baguette, ham, and cheese, I gifted those uneatables to a couple of thrifty pilgrims. As soon as I found a café with fresh mozzarella and tomato salad, I upgraded my lunch. Delicious.