We had breakfast at the patisserie across from our Gite this morning. The Gite owner sold us a voucher for breakfast that was probably more expensive than the breakfast would have been. Oh well, not all gites can be fantastic. The patisserie, however, was good. We picked up sandwiches for lunch and they were tasty.
Today we walked a lot of road and avoided most of the slippery mud trails. It also shortened our distance by a few km. It misted rain all day. We came upon only one village today to rest in and have a drink, Lelin-Lapujolle. The old schoolhouse, down from the church, has been turned into the snack bar called Pacha Mama, where we drank Coca Zeros and ate cake. I was able to make three portraits while there and even got a goodbye kiss from the hostess, Typhaine. I think the Marks were a little jealous.
Anne is from France and has family in Toronto and Vancouver. She and her friend Lea started their Chemin in Conques April 1. They are moving at a slow and steady pace.
Lea is Dutch. She and her friend Anne started their Chemin in Conques April 1. They are moving at a slow and steady pace.
Typhaine operates the restaurant Pacha Mama in an old schoolhouse Lelin-Lapujolle. She is very welcoming and enjoys meeting pelerins from around the world. Locals and pelerins stop there for drinks, lunch, and dessert. It is an oasis along the trail.
New shoes for everyone! Last year I wore my shoes for 900 km. By the end, my feet were not happy. This time, with tread almost gone, 550 km down and maybe 300 km to go, I knew it was time. The Marks were also feeling the need so we called a cab from our Gite this evening and went to Sport 2000, something like Sportcheck at home. The cab driver waited for us as we made the quickest shoe decisions three picky men have ever made. None of our favourite brands and few pairs the right size in were in stock so we got what we got. I bought a pair of ASICS, and the Marks bought New Balance. 20 euros for a generous cab ride. Tomorrow will be the shoe test as we have 33km to cover. My Brooks shoes stayed behind at the Gite, destined to join the other worn out shoes proudly displayed on the wall. The Marks opted for caution and carried their old shoes with them.
Tonight we ate at Gite Maison de Pelerins with all new people. Funny how that goes. Many were out for short sections of the Chemin including a family with a 13 yr old boy and a 10 yr old girl. We talked about sports and told them about hockey. They brought a fun energy to the table. Dinner consisted of a purée vegetable soup, bread, wine, a lentil and sausage stew, cheese, tea, and very good chocolate mousse. I say very good because whenever I eat high quality chocolate, I sneeze. Run of the mill chocolate bars don’t make the cut. This mousse did. Another good day.