Saturday 8 October 2022

OCTOBER 2022 : FRANCE : STEVENSON TRAIL : Day 10 : Florac - Cassagnas : 19 kms



[Enlarge map to see where we are]



Stage nine
Florac - Cassagnas 
19 kms ( 29,564 steps)
6 hours with stops
Forecast : 19o and rain (only a little)



Breakfast included 


Rain this morning as we started out. We met the Belgium contingent running for their bus. They finished walking yesterday. We will miss their chatter.



We walked along the road and crossed a bridge and were back in the forest.



Only a few walkers. Lovely walking.



The path followed the river and we could see interesting houses in the distance.



Chestnuts and acorns were the order of the day today


Some novel signposts. Our red and white markers are spaced consistently and the crosses prevent us going in the wrong direction.



After exiting the forest trails we had another happy realisation that the next and last 8 kms would be on a disused railway track by the river  which meant flat and grassy terrain. This included 3 tunnels!



Finally we crossed the main road on to another flat track ..



And we arrived at the Ancienne Gare - the old railway station - now part of a tourist park, Espace Stevenson.



We had made such good time that we arrived about 2pm. Unfortunately everything was closed - end of the season - and our lift to a surprise location this evening arrived at 4.30 to collect us.
Thank heavens for my book!



At the appointed hour Brigette collected us and drove us high into mountains to their gite with spectacular views of the valley below, Les Dentes de Cevennes.
The gite is full of character with cats and a 18 year old dog. Emphasis on welcoming guests rather than housekeeping. We are in for an interesting evening.





Lovely bedroom with immaculate ensuite (and loo)



Our hosts



Cold zucchini/chèvre soup
Mushroom and sausage with red wine sauce
Potato gratin
Selection of cheeses
Pannacota and apricot jam





M&M


1 comment:

JulieJ said...

Really pretty walking trail. Must have been a lovely surprise after the previous two days....JulieJ