Our rest day in fairyland deserves some more pictures. Here they are. 

We also had the privilege and pleasure of meeting Neve from North Carolina and her five children Aynsleigh -9; Bronwyn-11; Tristan- 13; Aynsleigh -9, Bronwyn-11, Tristan- 13, Karsh-15, and Reichen-17.  This is the woman and 5 well-behaved children we have been hearing of all along the Camino and whom we mentioned to you a few days ago.  We were so happy to finally meet them!

They were a joy to spend some time with. Such a special mother and a wonderful family truly enjoying the outdoors and the Camino journey. 

So far, every day has been up and down hills most of the day. Today was no different!  Even though we started at the river Lot, visited a Disney-like city of Espalion, and ended up in yet another Disney-like city of Estaing, we barely were able to walk 10 minutes along the river. Usually a river-walk would be easy.  But today’s walk went through steep hills and was anything but.  Up and down was the motto!  All told, 22 km and 105 floors today.  Way too much!  Which means a rest day tomorrow!!!
I will let the pictures do the talking today.

Last night we had a wonderful communal dinner with 19 other pilgrims. For the first time we were in a dormitory and had to share a room on this Camino. 

We left at 6:30 as usual. The day was going to be up and down, but overall,  we were destined to arrive in a  beautiful valley. 

We began climbing immediately out of town. 

Very soon we entered a forest of birch trees. It was magnificent and utterly quite. You could hear the deafening roar of silence. The walk was magical, meditative, and divine. 

Walking in this divine environment, I could not help but remember Rumi’s poetry. 

Rumi

(1207 -1273)

Behind the Scenes

Is it your face

that adorns the garden?
Is it your fragrance

that intoxicates this garden?
Is it your spirit

that has made this brook

a river of wine?

Hundreds have looked for you

and died searching

in this garden

where you hide behind the scenes.

But this pain is not for those

who come as lovers.
You are easy to find here.
You are in the breeze

and in this river of wine.

Book: The Essential Rumi by Rumi

After a half-hour of walking through the enchanted forest, we were out into the mountains again, climbing some more. 

We continued on to the next town where we met quite a few other pilgrims, all gathered to enjoy coffee and tea by the roadside. 

Chatting with Trevor from England. 

Our roommate from last night, Guy, from Quebec. 

We entered another forest. This one was full of chestnut trees. 

We enjoyed our picnic lunch on the way down the mountain. We met our inspiration for the day in this French lady (wearing a white cap), 78 years young, carrying a full backpack and going up and down these tough slopes merrily. 

We finally saw our destination for today. It is a charming medieval town nestled in the valley below. 

It is a cute little town with narrow streets, a beautiful church, a chateau, and with arched gates to enter the inner sanctum. 



For the first 3 days of our hike we were in the volcanic region of Deves.  For the last 5 days we have been in the mountain region of Aubrac.  Today we climbed to the town of Aubrac (1307 m) atop the mountain .  Then we descended for the next 7 km to the town of St. Chely d’Aubrac (810 m). 

We started at 6:30 in the morning. As usual the morning hour was enchanting. 

When the sun finally became visible, the forest was captured in the soft golden glow. 

Usually we walk beside pastures.  Today, however, we walked within the pastures, themselves, with all the cows!

If you pay attention to the picture below, you will notice the way-markings for the Via Podiensis (GR65).  Parallel white and red bars indicate the way (notice extreme right of the picture), whereas a cross of white and red bars (extreme left of the picture) indicates the wrong direction. 

We continued our gradual climb through pastures to the town of Aubrac. 

We stopped for coffee in the town of Aubrac with Joe and Jude from  Australia (both retired principals). 

Fortunately the downhill portion was well-shaded. 

In St. Chely d’Aubrac we have a gorgeous view from our balcony. 

Enjoying ice cream, coffee, and a local treat with Genevieve and Bruno. 

We ended up walking 18 km and 68 floors today.