Le Puy en Velay

So after trains trains and more trains we have arrived in Le Puy ready to start the big walk tomorrow!
We spent yesterday in Lyon a city of 5 million. The pouring rain curtailed our sightseeing slightly but we did manage to go on a barge trip up the river which is a nice thing yo do when it's raining and you are feeling the mid afternoon sleepiness of jet lag .
Lyon is pretty in the same way as Paris and apart from hosting the All Blacks for the last world cup its also known for all the underground tunnels that were once used by the silk traders and then used by the French resistance in WW2.
Our hotel was very quaint with a room so small you could hardly move but a jazz theme was the decor. The eco vibe too was very evident even giving us home made herbal teas. Delicious.
The evening was spent enjoying the wines and foods of the district, after all it would be rude of us not to!
Today we made our way to the train station and met David McCarter from Ireland ( Robertas brother) It was a great reunion and he met Jane and Lee for the first time. David is walking the first 9 days with us.
On we trained through St Etienne and another train to our final destination Le Puy. It's a beautiful day here and the town is vibrant dominated by a big cathedral on hill where we will start the walk tomorrow. Le Puy is famous for the lentils known here as poor man's caviar.
Not sure if we are quite ready for the big walk but think it will be a good remedy for all the local cuisine we seem to be consuming. We are just back from a late lunch of delicious buckwheat pancakes. Walking poles have been bought and hopefully an early night and we will be on our way early tomorrow after a pilgrims mass. My bunions are in for a rude awakening!Read more