Time Departed: 8.45am
Time Arrived: 12.15pm
Distance: 12
Cumulative Distance: 207 kms
Percentage Completed: 26.5% (335,800steps)
Weather: Cool and high cloud. Rain in the late afternoon and evening.
Accommodation: Auberge Saint Jacques
Feelings: Neil - Happy, Henk - Fantastic, Di - Happy
We had a great day. We set off a little later as it was the much shorter distance of 12kms. Across the lane from our hotel was a very small grocery store and we bought some fruit. It was a Saturday morning and all was quiet in the village. We visited Espeyrac’s church and walked through the little lanes admiring the stone houses before heading off to do the usual steep ascent from the village. As we climbed we had good views looking back over Espeyrac.
We quickly reached Senergues with its church spire and large fortress tower. We ventured off the path to go to a vantage point to overlook the village.
At about ten thirty we had a fifteen minute break for morning tea before reaching the little village of Saint Marcel. It had the plainest of churches but the cutest little stone house directly opposite it.
The walk was not a difficult one and we had magnificent views. We mostly walked on the edge of tarmac alongside farmland and occasionally through wooded areas. The fields of bright yellow dandelions are quickly turning to fields of white as they go to seed. We also saw large acres of very green wheat growing.
The last couple of kilometres into Conques were very steep and slippery. I slipped over at one stage so we took it very carefully. When we walked into the beautiful village through the narrow medieval streets it was hard to take it all in. Everywhere we looked was a photo opportunity. It is good that we are here for two nights so we can enjoy the small town as it is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France and is on the UNESCO world heritage list.
We were really pleased to see John at a table outside our hotel. He had stayed there the previous night and was due to catch a taxi in ten minutes so the timing was perfect. His walk from Cluny to Conques was complete. We laughed as he was on his mobile just like the first time we met him on the path about five days ago.
It was good to know that he met up with Anne the previous evening. We had just missed her as she had taken a taxi to the next village. We rang her as soon as we got inside our hotel to see how she was going. She was in great spirits and it was good to chat.
After John caught his taxi we saw Adelaide Bree and Cathy. They were having a rest day but had to change accommodation and were moving from the monastery to our hotel. It was great to see them again. We had a long chat outside our hotel until we could get access to our rooms at two o’clock. Our wonderful corner room is on the third floor and has amazing views over the countryside.
John and Anne recommended upgrading from the Pelrin Menu to the a la carte menu and we were pleased that they did. It was superb. Cathy and Bree joined us and we had a lovely evening. Tomorrow they move on and we have a rest day in Conques.
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