Because we had a long way to go today we started out early, (this was because of a dearth of accommodation after Figeac) so we decided to grab breakfast on the way when we picked up bread for lunch. We left about 8am and the morning was cool and misty.
As usual we had to ascend out of town following a tarmac road which soon became a forest track. Out of the mist loomed a gigantic concrete cross, part of a memorial to 145 people deported from Figeac by the Germans on 12th May 1945. A very moving monument (material for a remembrance Sunday perhaps?)
We carried on up the road and perhaps half an hour later, we passed through our first taste of industrial France, walking through an industrial estate. This was soon replaced by open country. Our guide book said we would have wonderful views over the Lot valley, but all we saw was mist!
Again we were moving into different terrain, we were now in sheep and goat country, and we passed two farms selling their own goat and sheep's cheese.
By lunch we had covered over 20 km and had our lunch on the village green at Grealou.
In the afternoon the scenery had changed again we were now getting onto a Limestone plateau covered in small stunted oak trees turning brown with the Autumn. Where the trees had been cleared they were growing grapes, our first of the trip.
Soon our destination was set out before us, down at the bottom a natural bowl.
We descended down into Cajarc and found our accommodation for the night at the local Gite Communal where a bed for the night in a communal dorm cost us €8.20 each (the cheapest night of the trip so far).
As I was hanging out the washing I got into conversation with a couple from Manchester who are staying in their caravan nearby they were the first people from the UK we had spoken to in over two weeks!
We then went in search of food and discovered a free wi-fi access point outside a closed cafe, so were able to post our material so far, and will stop by in the morning to post this.
On the camino in France
2 comments:
Read about some of your adventures with interest and a certain amount of envy! Sounds like you are having a great time and some great experiences. Look forward to reading more. Take care & God bless. Howard
Our first read of your blog,interested to know what happened to your foot before you went but enjoying following your adventure.
Safe travels
Sheila and Steph
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