La Vernède

And today was even colder still, but no snow. I think all of southern France is chilly right now, but we were up a bit higher (1320m) and there was a wind.

Left our great hotel in Saugues around 8:30, along with many others, but within 30 mins we were wandering at our own pace and only occasionally passed other people. Already we recognised quite a few of them. Steady uphill through big farms (since there were few farmhouses of hamlets) then a forest, where the track was covered in snow. After that it was downhill (slowly) mostly in woods, and a side-trip to tonight's hotel. It is a hotel/gite in a hamlet with no other businesses, and i assume it is used becasue it is 27kms from Saugues, whereas the next bigger town is another 7km, and 34 kms might be a stretch with the hills.

We waited in the cold for the 3pm opening, talking with another Australian couple who are also here tonight. It was very cold once we stopped walking.Then someone opened a window and said we could wait upstairs in a warmer kitchen area, and we did...until 4pm, not 3pm.

I wiled away the time calling Air France and getting nowhere, although on the 4th call someone said the bag was out for delivery, but returned because the hotel they went to did not know who we were. Sounded fake to me, as all three hotels would remember.

There are 6 Australians here, plus at least 5 Americans, and a French couple with the dog as seen in the old chapel yesterday. Plus a few other French walkers, I think.

L’Oustal de Parent Hotel: 1 Biggish and modern, in the middle of fields2. Open at 4pm. 3. Thomas the helpful manager who may yet solve AF. 4 Warm room and great bed. 5 Aust couple lending us an umbrella and cycling sleeves 6 Finding the dog pilgrim and giving his parents their photo 7 Dinner excellent and tables served ( rather than people) so very quick. 8 no wifi in room

36,541 steps/ 29.6km and 86 flightsRead more