Day 8 - Saint-Chely-d’Aubrac - Saint Come d’Olt - 9 May

Time Departed: 8.15am

Time Arrived: 12.30pm

Distance: 17

Cumulative Distance: 151kms

Percentage Completed: 19% (245,200 steps) 

Weather: Rain then cloud and cold. 

Accommodation: Chambres d’Hotes Les Jardins d’Eliane

Feelings: Neil - Not happy, Henk - Crazy,  Di - Not keen, John - Certifiably Mad! 

This day was much better than we thought it would be. As John, Henk, Neil and I met for breakfast the rain started to get heavier. By the time we left the hotel and picked up lunch supplies at the local grocer the rain was bucketing down. We waited for about five minutes, the rain eased slightly and we decided not to wait as rain was predicted all day. On the edge of St-Chely-d’Aubrac we walked across a fast-flowing mountain stream on an old stone bridge which had a 16th century stone cross. It was pouring rain but Henk and Neil duly posed for a photo.

The first forty-five minutes was a steep climb up through covered pretty woods. The path was very wet and muddy underfoot with decaying mulch from last Autumn. John took a photo of us making our way up the incline. 

The walk today had little flat walking and there were a lot of steep inclines and declines. Thankfully after we reached the first summit the rain stopped and we mostly walked in clouds for most of the day into Saint Come d’Olt. We came upon a huge field of jonquils in full bloom with their strong, beautiful perfume and the lush, green pastures had more Aubrac cows. 

After six kilometres we found an open, rustic hut with thermos pots of hot coffee and hot water and another with juice. It was popular with walkers and we stopped for a ten minute break and had a quick cuppa. There was a good feeling of camaraderie and there was a box for donations. Once we stopped we found we cooled down very quickly and needed to move on.

The muddy ascents and descents continued and with only four kilometres remaining to reach our destination of Saint Come d’Olt there was a very long steep ascent to reach the tiny hamlet of La Rozier before ascending and descending into the Lot Valley. When we reached our final ascent we could see the large village church, Église Saint-Come, with its twisted spire and we headed down towards it. 

We said goodbye to John at Saint Come d’Olt as he had to walk onto Espalion. We had kept company with John for about 24 hours and he was great company. We walked to our hotel and found that it wasn’t open until three o’clock so we had two and a half hours to wait. We wandered off to the medieval village centre and had lunch in a covered open area as inside the cafe was way too heated for us. We then walked around the village which is considered one of the most beautiful villages of France. It is very well kept and there are photo opportunities around every corner. 

The church has two beautiful oak doors with thirty carved panels.

At about two thirty we returned to the hotel and waited on their park bench outside the hotel until three o’clock. 

We were given a warm welcome by our host. Our wet boots were put on a drying rack so they will be snug for tomorrow. 

Dinner was for fourteen walkers, all French except us.