Day 9 Estaing to Golinhac

After a fun night with the Medieval theme going on we set off armed with baguettes ham and a local cheese as we didn't think being a Sunday much would be open ( we were right). Estaing looked stunning as we left and hard to believe this town is so old and unchanged for hundreds of years. No earthquakes here!
The first part of the walk was I have to say a bit of a slog with an 800 meter ascent over about 8 km. The walk was mainly on road but very quiet country roads . We climbed out of the Lot valley leaving the beautiful river behind with the odd fisherman here and there. Unfortunately it was a bit of a misty day turning to rain so the views looking back were not brilliant. At 1030 we saw a gite in the distance and all felt like a coffee so David rang as his French isn't bad. Yes they could make coffee so in we trekked having to ring bell loudly and call out for service. The coffee was wonderful and all for 8 euro.
Just by chance we met a NZ couple and their daughter who came from Rotorua. Only the 3rd lot of kiwis we have seen.
The 2nd half of the walk was easier with dirt paths through forests of beech and oak plus wild crocuss and cyclamen on side of the road. We stopped for lunch in the forest and certainly enjoyed our crusty bread rolls..
The rain started up but finally after 16 or so km ended up at Golinhac high up at 635 meters and we are now in the Ocitaine region It is a tiny place with apparently stunning views down the Lot valley but we have yet to see.
The church is about 15th Century and is named St Martin after a famous Roman soldier who cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar so he got the thumbs up from the pilgrim fraternity. My pilgrim poncho is rapidly splitting in half but will mend with duck tape.
After a fairly strenuous days walking we celebrated with cups of tea and lemon cake.
We are in a quaint hotel and can hear the rain outside . The team of 10 feet doing well and not a blister between us!Read more