Livinhac-Le-Haut

Today I’m gonna try posting as I walk. Let’s see how this works.

7:50 AM. I left Conques following GR 65 hiking trail that makes up most of this Chemin/Path. At the top of the ridge I’m leaving the Lot River Valley behind. I’ve already got out my backpack rain cover and I have a poncho standing by to cover me if a rain truly sets in.

I don’t mind walking in the rain. And it would surely improve the air quality from the fires to the south. But I have developed the beginnings of what may be my first pilgrim blister on my right big toe. I put a Band-Aid on it. And it might harden into a callus. Rain walking certainly won’t help it. I guess I’ll just leave that with God as to which is better, breathing or blisters.

Well, that didn’t take long. It’s starting to rain and I’ve got out my new poncho.

It’s about 9:30 AM and I’m leaving Noailhac. It’s a pretty little town. I stopped at a little shop for homemade pastry and some water. The lady was a very elegant host. And that was reflected in her choice of furnishings for her café. She welcomes guest in a room appointed like someone’s front parlor. The padded chairs and precious side tables make one feel like you’re sitting down the cottage of a grand dame. I felt a little self-conscious sitting in my wet gear on her beautiful furniture, but she insisted.

I visited a little chapel to Saint Roche. Saint Roche looks very much like St James except Saint Roche always has a little dog at his side.

Leaving the chapel, I meet an extraordinarily kind Belgian young woman. We had a good walk together to Decazeville. We visited a the church in the town center. She went on her way to.Livinhac-Le-Haute while I stayed behind to eat. She was very patient with my French and she spoke excellent English. And a good time was had by all.

I continued on my way to my Gîte which is located between Decazeville and Livinhac-Le-Haute. My place is very informal. My host was not home when I arrived. He gave me instructions on how to let myself into the house and find my room. I took a quick shower and did some laundry. Leaving my laundry to dry in the line in the sun, I rejoined my Belgian friend from this morning and walked down into the Lot River Valley into Livinhac-Le-Haute.

I’d hope to be able to get a quick meal and have a cold drink before returning to my Gîte but this is Monday, and France is “closed.” So I visited the nice church in the city center, and then turned around to walk back to my Gîte. Walking back was a fair distance but I had not appreciated the difference in altitude until I my ears popped three times as I was climbing back up to my Inn. .

Tonight we had a lovely dinner with our host at Gîte Le Chemin St-Roche. we started with a salad of a marinade of fresh tomatoes on a bed of shredded cabbage and onions with a shredded carrot topping. One of the Irish guests asked for butter, explaining it’s not very French, but I’m from Ireland.

The main course was L’ Estofinade (or L’Estofinado). It’s a local traditional recipe consisting unsalted dried cod (rehydrated), potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and walnut oil. It looks much like our mashed potatoes, but with a mild fish waiver. The side of green bees. Dessert was a yogurt like cream, flavored with local honey,made by bees from sweet chestnut flowers and topped with a sweet reddish brown powder ( le spéculoos ou spéculos?).Læs mere