Monthly Archives: June 2013

On the Chemin de Saint Jacques most pilgrims are from France. I have

also met another Canadian, a couple from Perth Australia, a lady from

South Africa, several Swiss and 1 American.

Some interesting people:

– Alain from Switzerland who is a Templar

– Sonny from Toronto who did the Camino in Spain last year and is now

doing it again all the way from Le Puy

– Ursula from Switzerland who is walking with her dog from Switzerland

to Santiago

– John and Claire who flew all the way from Perth, Australia to hike for 2 weeks

– Vincent the chef who made us Aligot a melted mixture of cheese and potato

– a nice older couple from France who hike all over the place

It's great to quickly make so many friends in a foreign land.

Here in France there are some differences in etiquette.

Last night I was privileged to have a 7 course meal. Not knowing each

time more was coming, I filled up on whatever Monique (Chez Monique

B&B) brought. Mistake, half way thru I could not eat anymore. We had:

– apperatifs

– hordourves

– soup

– pasta casserole

– chicken and rice

– cheese plate

– fruit and tart desert

– coffee/tea

Another oddity is les francais drink their morning coffee out of a

bowl after dipping their toast into it.

Tonight dans Le Gite de la ferme au Sauvage there were only 4 courses

so I got off easy.

Gaining weight sur le Chemin de St Jacques..

Salva Regina! The bishop from Le Puy

Wrote this prayer,

Today was amazing, walked to this statue.

Mass at the Cathedral Notre Dame for the procession ” Corpus Christie” feast day,

I am in beautiful Sauges, a medieval town full of narrow cobblestone

streets, boulangeries and friends.

Today was the most difficult walk of my life. From Montbonnet to

Monistrol d'Allier, a mere distance of 13 km, the rocky muddy trail

went up and the down 650 m. I was exhausted when I arrived at

Monistrol. So, a nice man named Henri drove me to Sauges (12 km but

up 650 m again) after serving me lunch in his restaurant!

I am now esconced in Chez Monique B&B awaiting the 5 pm cathedral service.

I will decide tomorrow if I will have my bag sent ahead to lighten the

load. (Henri says the Camino is much easier from here on.)

Just ran into friends Sonny from Toronto with Sophia from S. Africa.

Life is good when their are angels like Henri and Monique.