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Walking the Camino
  • Mary and Simon

Walking the Camino

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  • Trip start
    April 22, 2024
    Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler

    Preparation time 👣

    March 29, 2024 in Isle of Man ⋅ 🌬 8 °C

    We will be walking 3 different Caminos from Cluny in mid France to Finisterre and Muxia on the Atlantic coast of Spain. We will travel the Chemin de Cluny, the Via Podensis and the Camino del Norte.
    This is a time to reflect on the crossroads of our life as we move from our working life into retirement and all that may bring.
    It will be a time of living The Way, walking and just being as we accept the challenges of the Path ahead. 👣👣💕    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Sauntering

    March 29, 2024 in Isle of Man ⋅ 🌬 8 °C

    During my work on the farm my students worked towards the John Muir award. This recognised their work, love and improvements made to a place after natural beauty. John Muir was a naturalist from Scotland who went to America and was a founder figure of the National Parks movement. This resulted in the Peak District being founded where Simon and I have done lots of training for our Camino walk.
    I found this quote from John Muir recently which I love

    John Muir on "hiking": I don't like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike! Do you know the origin of that word 'saunter?' It's a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, 'A la sainte terre,' 'To the Holy Land.' And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these Caminos are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them."    Read more

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    Isle of man Camino training

    March 30, 2024 in Isle of Man ⋅ 🌬 9 °C

    Spending Easter with Mum and Dad before we embark on our walking adventure. Spectacular day so we went on a training walk 👣😊

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Maps of our route

    April 11, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    11 days to go. Here is an up date of our route. We will travel by Eurostar to Paris then train to Cluny.
    Our first route is the Chemin de Cluny which brings us to Le Puy de Velay.
    The second route is the Via Podiensis which takes us down to St Jean Pied du Porte.
    We then travel to the Coast to Hendaye and walk to Irun in Spain for the Camino del Norte.
    The final trek will be from Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre and Muxia on the Atlantic coast.    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler

    Leaving Rose Cottage

    April 21, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    A beautiful departure day for us. Off to London and Paris early tomorrow 🙌👣👣

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler

    Day 1 England to Paris

    April 22, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    As we live in the back of beyond 😂there was no way of getting to the station on time for our train to London - so we found a cheap hotel near to Derby station that gave us a free breakfast 👍. Simon described our night like sleeping in a ‘crisp packet’ due to noisy bedding!!
    Anyway train to London was caught and after Ghandi like scenes at Eurostar and a slight delay we have made it to Paris. Staying in a hotel from the 70s for the night before catching trains and buses to Cluny tomorrow xx    Read more

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    Day 2/3 - Paris to Cluny

    Apr 23–25, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Woke up to a beautiful sunny day in Paris and went to join the cafe culture for le petit dejeuner. We then headed for the Metro to travel from Gard du Nord to Gard de Lyon. With an hour to spare we went on a swift sight seeing tour that took in the Seine, the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame in the distance.
    Onto a double decker TGV 🚄 train to Maçon. Maçon was chilly as we waited for a bus to Cluny.
    Cluny is a quaint,well established, medieval town centred around its ancient Abbey.
    Fantastic medieval apartment close by to all amenities. Jolly Nicola our land lady welcomed us. We showered and laundered and explored.
    Today we have explored further, had our pilgrims passport stamped, looked around the Abbey, found the start of the walk so all set for tomorrow 🙌🙌👣👣    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Day 4 - Cluny to Tramayes

    Apr 25–26, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Well our first day of Camino walking was quite a challenge at 19.4 Km and a number of steep ascents. We left Cluny at 9.00 in bright sunshine and walked through fields, woods and up hills.
    All very beautiful and spring like. We heard cuckoos, woodpeckers, blackbirds and plenty of others. Saw our first swallows of the summer.
    Simon found a young dazed robin that we rescued and put back in the hedge🤞
    Brunch in a coach that had turned into a cafe in Sainte-Cécile. Arrived in Tramayes just before 3.
    Simon says his feet are throbbing and I may need to call for the air ambulance tomorrow.
    Now showered, laundry done and chilling before supper later. Xx    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler

    Day 5 Tramayes to Ouroux

    Apr 26–27, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Today’s walking started in drizzle! So coats on and backpacks covered. Simon has renamed himself ‘the plodicus’ and he set a good pace. Once again plenty of ascents and some steep descents into the equation! Through muddy trails, the occasional stream that hijacked the path, chilly forests where the gobbledygooks live and some occasional wafts of sunshine. Mary nearly had a hanger meltdown as the village planned for lunch was all closed apart from the loo!! And of course it rained the hardest at this point 😢. Simon remained cool, calm and collected for a change 😂
    So we plodded on the last 4km to Ouroux and shocked our landlady with an early arrival. However room was ready and we could chill and have a weird lunch from odds and ends we found in our bags. Looking forward to 7.00 dinner - Simon dreaming of roast chicken with a robust glass or 2 of red wine 🤞🙏
    The life of a pilgrim hey!! Just under 17 km accomplished today. Next instalment of ‘the plodicus progress’ tomorrow xx    Read more

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    Day 6 Ouroux to Propières

    Apr 27–28, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    The day started well with lovely sunshine and a good wind to cool us. We went up into the forested mountains.
    Our phone app took us on a ‘short cut’ that ended up being up and down a mountain ⛰️!! The plodicus kept cool though there was an edge!! Lunch was had in a graffitied wooden shack high up in the pine trees. The sun disappeared and it was pretty chilly by the end of the walk. Safely to Propières and Simon planning a brandy to get through his trauma. He thinks the cows in this area are very clean but we had run out of steam to photo them!!Read more

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    Day 7 - Propieres to Le Cergne

    Apr 28–29, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Had a fab meal in Propieres - Simon went all out with an entrecôte steak!
    Simon sets a vignette….
    Having hobbled out of the restaurant for a post dinner cigarette I was already bracing myself to get through the noisy, busy bar. Which I did with just a few call-outs. Coming back through the bar, I was collared by a loud mouthed French dude, who proceeded to barrack me in front of his little gang as to Where are you from? Are you English? Then speak French, speak French…
    Unfortunately my head went to —-!
    After my 19 km walk, big steak and beer 😳 we proceeded into an awkward stand off where we all stood in silence. I nearly said ‘Bonjour’ - the only French word that came into my head - thank goodness I didn’t 😂
    The cocky French dude - let’s call him Luc - started barracking again and in my fatigued state I muttered ‘le fatigue’ and ‘Bon nuit’. Then I turned to make my escape to find myself trapped behind a large party of new customers making their way into the restaurant 🙄 and all I could hear bouncing off my back was ‘bye, bye English, bye, bye English’ and still I couldn’t think of one clever French phrase to say - not even ‘comment sa va?’ Having made it safely back to the table I must of looked harried as Mary looked up and said ‘you’ve been a twerp haven’t you?’ I sat down and said ‘Yes, I’m afraid so!’
    So onwards to today. The ponchos were out and on as it promised to be a wet day ahead! Wasn’t too bad actually main rain came half an hour before arriving at our destination. More mountains, pine forests and lovely views.
    A German mother and daughter also doing our route so we overtake them on a daily basis as they set off an hour before us. We are staying in same accommodation as them tonight again so may learn more about them over supper. 18+km completed today.
    P.s. Simon says his feet and legs are losing that ‘eczema’ look - which is nice 😊    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Day 8 - Le Cergne to Charlieu

    Apr 29–30, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Had a lovely stay in Le Cergne - well looked after by Phillipe and Martine. They had baked an amazing array of products and spoke good English so communication was much better. The other guests were our German friends mother and daughter Monicka and Francesca from Heidleburg. So we had odd 3 way chats in French, German and English 😂
    Today was very soggy as it rained most of the walk, we were coping til near the end when the path became a mire and muddy stream, testing our footwear to the limit - soggy sock city!!
    We entered Charlieu hungry and close to the edge. It is a beautiful medieval town but sadly on a Monday all is closed 😢
    We dropped our bags in our beautiful apartment and went in search of a supermarket. To our joy we found a bar open 🙌
    We started with coffee, then enquired about food only saucisson offered. We ordered 2 , the bar man looked doubtful trudged off and brought 2 large big chorizo type sausages hanging from a string- we all laughed and agreed 1 was sufficient. So we tucked into this with bread and gherkins and couldn’t resist a couple of cold beers - what an odd lunch!!
    Hit the supermarket for some evening food then headed back to flump out in our apartment for the evening. 19 km accomplished on a wet Monday.    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Day 9 - Charlieu to La Fromagerie

    Apr 30–May 1, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    After a chatty breakfast with Delphine our host in Charlieu we headed into town for some bits and bobs as today is a shorter walk 🙌 and we are under strict instructions not to arrive at our destination until after 3!!
    The sun is out and it’s very warm ☀️
    Our track was flat and bordered by fields and farms. We crossed canals and the river Loire. Stopped for a coffee at a marina type place, very civilised 😊. To ask for the bill you say ‘ l’addition s’il vous plait’
    Simon went off to pay and said ‘is it le subtraction s’il vous plait?’ 😆
    Thank goodness he checked…
    We stopped in Le Benisson Dieu for lunch, this literally translates as ‘God’s Blessings’ and has a beautiful abbey at the centre. As we had time we stopped for lunch having enquired did they do omelette? However once we sat down the only option given us was steak!! - God’s Blessings perhaps?!!
    Then onto our destination for the evening - The Fromagerie- literally the cheese house. Fortunately non been made here for the past 10 years. It’s very rustic with an eco toilet 😳.
    We are waiting for Stephanie to bring our supper of quiche, she comes on a cart at 5! We hope 😉    Read more

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    Day 10 - La Fromagerie to Saint Haon le

    May 1–3, 2024 in France ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    We woke up to a foggy start at La Fromagerie, Simon spotted a deer groaning in the mist while having his morning coffee. Breakfast from Stephanie on the cart was a big improvement on supper 🙌
    We set off on today’s trek - just under 20 km! Today is a bank holiday in France so once again all is closed. Simon says France is shut, it’s like a permanent seventies Sunday.
    The forecast had been for rain but God’s blessings were still with us and it remained dry 😊.
    The way was fairly level with very few ups and downs. Just long wet grass and mud to contend with.
    We planned lunch in Saint Romaine La Motte, all was closed bar a pizza takeout- so yes we shared a pizza, they also threw a free coffee in 👍
    We arrived in Saint Haon le Chatel feeling worn out and ready for a rest. We are in a room in a French families home. The town is quaint and medieval in character. We have a rest day planned tomorrow so will explore the town further then. So next update will be on Friday when we’re on the move again. 125 km walked so far 👣👣👣    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler

    Day 11/12 - St Haon le Chatel to Saint J

    May 3–4, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    Before we get started just a little matter about socks - too many socks garrotte your ankles - our good friend Nick in Japan has caught onto this from personal experience! And he’s now launching himself into this very important project, sitting at his designing desk as we speak mulling the problem 🙌🧦🤞.
    We enjoyed a relaxing day yesterday around St Haon le Chatel and its neighbouring town Renaisance. Having gone through the now familiar experience of being watched and scrutinised through a 3 course dinner, attempting pigeon French on the first evening, we took ourselves out to eat and had a boozy lunch. We went shopping in Carrefour for anyone of Walmley background. Thought better of going to the Caberet due to the expense!!
    Simon managed to get key stuck in lock once back and Valerie the host suddenly loomed out of nowhere and also spent 10 mins huffing and puffing over said key, whilst flooring Simon with her rapid French 😂 fortunately I had escaped to the loo!!
    Today has been a beautiful sunny day - until I tried hanging laundry out 🙄
    And a long but pleasant walk through hills, meadows, quaint towns, acres of vineyards and plenty of the usual wildlife. As ever most things shut - apart from the hair dressers- these must be key to French life!! Ended up getting a coffee in the post office- and used their loo!
    Arrived at our destination after a 6 hour walk in blistering Sun 🌞
    Now waiting for the 7.00 opening time of local restaurant for a rejuvenating meal and a glass of local plonk 🍷    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Day 13 - Saint Jean Saint Maurice to Pom

    May 4–5, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Today is Simon’s birthday and the Plodicus is very tired - he is plodded out.
    We had a leisurely start to the day as the cafe we were planning for breakfast didn’t open til 10! We headed up there at 10 to find they would only serve coffee and hot drinks 😳. All other restaurants were shut 😭 so we headed off on our longest walk yet on empty stomachs. 6 Km on we came to the village of Bully - this to our relief had a campsite with an open cafe 🙌. So we were able to feast on a cheese baguette 🥖 and hot drinks. This set us up for the remaining 14 kms.
    We were doing quite well up until the last 4km when Mary wanted a sit down and Simon decided to bolt for home! Result Mary’s tired feet made her a little ratty. 😂
    We have a lovely apartment overlooking the ancient priory.
    Simon keeps getting worrying flashbacks to his surprise party last year 😆 but feels safely far enough away for no repetition!!
    We are booked into a local restaurant for hopefully a nice birthday meal 🤞    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler

    Day 14 - Pommiers en Forez to Montverdun

    May 5–6, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We had a lovely meal at the local restaurant and they all sang happy birthday to Simon in French!
    The restaurant also agreed to provide breakfast for us this morning 🙌
    We had a long walk of 21+km so set off in bright sunshine. We passed fields of poppies and cornflowers as we were in arable land. So fields of barley, wheat and corn bordered our path.
    So 19km trundled along ok, I was grumbling a little about aching feet. We passed a tranquil river and I said I’d love to dip my feet in and cool them off - I learned one has to be careful what one wishes for 😳
    We were homing in on the finish feeling well pleased - when we ended up in the swamp lands, the river had burst it banks and was now flowing along the path. So the last km or so we were ankle deep in running water, and hacking through giant nettles and scrubland.
    Then we walked up a hill to the Mountverdon Priory, our destination for the night, in a thunderstorm only to find it locked up. I had to ring the emergency number and attempt to explain our dilemma in my rubbish pigeon French.
    So a man came to save us and now we are the sole dwellers in the medieval priory on the hill. They have left our dinner in the fridge in the big kitchen and locked us in for the night.
    The man is coming at 8 in the morning to release us and take us for breakfast at the bakery in town - we hope??!!
    Now it’s just us and the spirits of the ancient monks…    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler

    Day 15 - Montverden to Montbrison

    May 6–7, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We slept well in our spooky Priory. We were let out at 8 as planned 🙌
    We had dried everything out. However today it rained a lot. We marched down the hill to the Boulangerie that provided us with breakfast then set off on the path to Montbrison.
    We coped well with the muddy wood path but then we hit the bog path and feet got saturated again 😭.
    We trudged through the rain as the moody cows looked on. The path takes you on crazy tours of villages and we are sure just for the sake of it!!
    We couldn’t sit to rest and have lunch as nothing open on a Monday so had our saved croissants on the hop.
    We have been togged up in our Batman capes all day trudging along like medieval monks. Simon refused to wear his as we came into Montbrison - he still has his standards.
    We had to wait for 3 hours for Airbnb to send us the key code for our apartment in a cafe as Simon makes us walk so fast 😂
    We are staying in an apartment above the local theatre. We have shopped, laundered, cooked dinner and now having a bottle of red to chill before retiring to our anti bug bed pods as this place doesn’t provide linens!
    Tomorrow we move to second stage of our walk in Le Puy de Velay.
    Very few pics of the day due to weather!!
    210km completed 👣👣👏    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler

    Day 16/17 - Montbrison to Le Puy en Vela

    May 7–9, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Up early on Tuesday morning we had breakfast out and Simon found a bookshop with an English section so treated himself. We collected bags and parcelled up stuff to send back to England.
    Due to our 90 day, limit courtesy of Brexit , we have to do a few train jumps to enable us to complete our odyssey! So today we had a train trip via St Etienne of football fame to Le Puy en Velay.
    We passed a post office on way to station and attempted to post the parcel. They put me on a French computer system to do this. It was so complicated we ran out of time and had to run off for our train.
    Monbrison station was overgrown with weeds and very quiet - a bit like Duddeston for Brummy readers! We eventually got a guards attention who said ‘oh no train- it is a bus out the front!’
    So we got a bus to St Etienne. The lady bus driver was very grumpy but it was pouring down.
    At St Etienne we disgusted ourselves and had a McDonald’s 😂
    We actually got a train on this leg of the journey and had scenic views of the River Loire most of the way.
    Le Puy en Velay is a bustling, groovy vibe and is full of jaunty pilgrims with all their gear. Lots of narrow, cobbled streets with tall shuttered dwellings lining each side.
    We found a nearby launderette so no handwashing today 🙌🙌
    Mary was determined to get up for the 7.00am pilgrims Mass at the Cathedral. Simon joined me at the last minute. There must have been at least 500 attendees- quite amazing.
    At the end of the service the middle aisle opens up and we are sent on our way with a blessing and a Camino medal through the floor and out to The Way!
    We came back to our bijoux apartment as Simon had his head fixed on a good fry up - too many croissants- and managed to set off smoke alarm in his efforts- it was a race to throw the window open and get the alarm off so we didn’t upset the neighbours.
    Today we have explored the delights of Le Puy as we set off walking tomorrow. It is Remembrance Day here for the end of World War 2 so found ourselves in the middle of the parade. And guess what it’s a bank holiday because of it, as is tomorrow as it is the feast of the Ascension.
    Fortunately, as we are in quite a tourist place, restaurants and supermarkets still open - phew!
    Now we are chilling out having boiled the rest of the eggs for lunch - obviously the day of eggs. We set off early tomorrow 👣👣👣    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Day 18 - Le Puy en Velay to St Privat D’

    May 9–10, 2024 in France ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    We had a calm, relaxed evening and early night. Up early for today’s adventure. Spotted ourselves in the service yesterday on Facebook page 😂
    Spotted an early hot air balloon over Le Puy. Packed up and headed off for breakfast as a long walk ahead. Lovely sunny day for a change. A very kind waiter at breakfast offered to take us a section of the walk to give us a head start on today’s multitudes of pilgrims 🙌. You don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. So our 23km walk reduced to 16km.
    Stunning scenery, challenging climbs, views of walking terrain for next week 😳. We stopped for lunch on a couple of boulders - as you do!
    Now in St Privat D’Allier waiting for our gite to open. A very cute village in the hillside.
    All is open - even though it’s a bank holiday!
    Busy with pilgrims from around the world. Even one family walking with their donkey.
    Planning a beer later after check in and showers.    Read more

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    Day 19 - St Privat d’Allier to Saugues

    May 10–11, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    The gite in Saint Privat was ok - a bit like a youth hostel but we had our own room. Glugged a couple of beers before the meal at 7. Mainly French families and Tim the Ozzie. All sat round a large table.
    Lentils are a local product that are becoming tiresome as they appear very regularly!!
    Early night, then up for 7.00am breakfast before fighting for space in the rucksack room to repack them for the off.
    There had been a landslide on the hill so we deviated to the road and reckon we saved an hour of walking time.
    Went through Ministrol d’Allier an old mining settlement. Then it was uphill into the mountains.
    The weather was amazing and the views were stunning.
    Simon has a red neck so headed off to get sun cream. He can’t handle being overtaken by pensioners 😂
    Got here in a very good time - think walking legs are coming on!!
    So had a relaxing drink and shared a pizza before heading to meet Jesus, our host for the evening at today’s Gite.
    We have a lovely big room in the attic and now await the delight of today’s dinner. Can smell smoked fish - just hoping it’s not with lentils 🤞🤪    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Day 21 - Chanaleilles to St sur Limagnol

    May 12–13, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Simon struggled with the 7.00 dinner last night. Pasta, turkey and crème was a nightmare survived with much glugging of water. Brought back school dinner nightmares for him 😳
    This morning started with a tussle for the bathroom with Jeanette and Lydia! All smiles and daggers - breakfast was a free for all then we escaped to the open road again.
    We saw our family and their donkey camping outside our place 🥰
    Walk was long but easy going , a couple of hills and fields. Our musical accompaniment today was cow bells 🔔
    The weather was great, cool and sunny with grey interludes.
    We stopped for a break and Sunday pause at the chapel of St Roche.
    As we entered St Albans had to walk through the hospital- Simon a bit freaked out when he saw Stephanie on her cart! - only joking 🙃
    Gradually made it down the hill into town to find we had 3 hours to kill before we could check in at our gite for the night.
    So we decided to eat now and settled into a local cafe and ordered their pilgrims menu, cold lager, roast chicken, chips and salad, apple pie and coffee - marvellous 🤩
    Now sheltering in the bar as rain started watching Eurovision catch up 😂 waiting to be allowed into our accommodation
    Au revoir for now - the plodicus and his Mrs xx    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Day 22 - St Albans s l to Aumont Aubrac

    May 13–15, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Last night we wandered around St Albans Sur Limagnole - we decided we weren’t particularly hungry after our earlier feast of chicken and chips 😆
    Thunder and lightning started rolling around so we hurried back to our lovely room just beating the torrential rain that followed 💦
    An easy going start with help yourself breakfast facilities - then off once more this time to the town of Aumont Aubrac.
    We headed out of town via the local spar! Stocked up on some fruit then hit the first hill of the day!
    We are now 1165 metres or 3415 feet above sea level on the Aubrac plateau. The place was covered in snow 2 weeks ago! We don’t want a repeat of this 🤞🙏
    We walked just under 16 km to lovely vistas on a sunny day with a cooling breeze.
    We hit town for lunch where there was quite a gathering of pilgrims all bonjouring each other.
    Mary tried out the local specialty‘aligot’ a type of mashed potato with garlic and cheese- it was lovely.
    We went to find our accommodation and for the first time we weren’t on the list despite booking a few months ago!! The hostess was apologetic and fortunately has another accommodation just around the corner. It is a charming old house with green shutters so hasn’t worked out too badly.
    Tomorrow is a rest day so we’ll chill catch up with the plans for the next few days and probably a trip to the local launderette!!!
    We have our own bathroom but a shared toilet and the kitchen is just off our room so could be noisy in the morning 🌅
    Simon is concerned that Man City are going to blow the title and the FA cup - however apparently Halifax finished 7th in the national league so all is not lost!!    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Day 23/24 - Aumont Aubrac - Finieyrols

    May 15–16, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    We are very glad yesterday was a rest day as it bucketed it down with rain all day and we saw some very wet pilgrims. We got our laundry done then headed out for a slap up lunch. After exploring a few grumpy venues we ended up back at our fave restaurant from the day before. We were well looked after by our cheerful waitress. We had to leave our sopping coats in the barn next door. However when we went to retrieve them only Simon’s nuclear yellow anorak remained 😳
    I had to knock on the window as they had locked up. They found a replacement in a drawer which ended up being much better than the one that had disappeared!!😂
    Up early this morning- 1 toilet between 8!!
    Had petit dejeuner, tidied up the little cottage and hoofed it off into a drier day.
    Our path took us up onto the Aubrac plateau. There was a steady stream of pilgrims that the Plodicus picked off group by group with Mary steadily bringing up the rear.
    The plateau had lots of daffodils and looked very much like Derbyshire and Yorkshire moors.
    16km done and we rest in a little hamlet called Finieyroles for the evening. We are 3 hours early for check in so ‘just hanging around’ watching pilgrims drift in and out.    Read more

  • Mary and SimonWalking the CaminoTraveler
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    Day 25 - Finieyroles - Aubrac

    May 16–17, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    La Rose d’Aubrac was a lovely gite but Simon struggling more and more with the communal meals 😳
    We were treated to a bland veg soup, truffelade ( kind of bubble and squeak with cream, garlic and cheese) and apple confit. Then Simon allowed to thankfully escape.
    We were only English speakers so was a challenge- but we were made to feel welcome.
    Up early for bread, jam and coffee. Then once more onto the Aubrac plateau. A place of solitude, bird song, flowers and lots of streams to breach. Really reminding us of Yorkshire moorlands and in places the Isle of Man 🇮🇲
    We came through sunshine, wind, hail and rain - thank goodness for my new poncho 😆
    Stopped in the quaint town of Nasbinals for a lovely sandwich and got an extra stamp on our credentials (pilgrims passports). 19 km later we have now arrived in Aubrac and are sitting viewing beautiful scenery waiting to check in at tonight’s digs.
    Simon tried the local drink pastis on our wet rest day - it’s rather like Greek ouzo!!
    He’s going for it again today!!    Read more

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