DAY 18 : FRANCE : CAHORS to LASCABANES - 21.5 kms

Distance walked so far : 361.5 kms

Weather : 4o at 8am then heating up in the afternoon to late 20s.

The guidebook warned us to be prepared this morning.
"Although the steep section from the bridge is not too long, if you have a large/heavy rucksack, if you are not very agile, if you don't like scrambling or if the weather is wet (and therefore slippery) you may prefer not to take the waymarked 'passage sportif' up the cliffs..."
Rather a daunting description but we decided to take the risk. The walk around the river to the Pont Valentre was very pretty and the bridge itself is a stunning fortified bridge, built in the 14th century.

Pont Valendre, Cahors

 Then the climb - bit scary - but not beyond our ability - thank heavens.

View from top of the climb

Most of the day was walking flat tracks, more exposed as we moved on. The countryside is looking very brown - fields fallow, ploughed up after harvesting. Woodpiles being stacked neatly. Fewer cows in the fields. It really feels as if everyone is gearing up for the winter.
We are meeting up with various groups. One group of 3 French women are walking, while one their husbands drives their packs each day. He is training for a marathon, so he runs 20 kms every morning and then drives the car to the next destination.

Cafe rest at La Bastide

 

Walking with Kurt and Elisabeth

 

GR sign to lead us on...

 

...and prevent us from going the wrong way.
 

Our gite tonight is in Lascabanes. It is attached to the local church (history dating back to the 1300s) - probably was a small monastery originally. There was a  medieval hospital for pilgrims near here as well. We attended the daily 6pm mass, where the priest washed our feet and blessed our journey.

End of the season - walking into Lascabanes

The gite attached to the church

  

Our meal was prepared by Cecile, the proprietor of the gite. There were 5 French couples, an English couple from Leicester (the wife still not sure walking was a good idea) and an Austrian couple, Elisabeth and Kurt. Kurt is an artist and gave us a card of one of his paintings. He has been studying iconography with a Romanian master.

A delicious meal created by Cecile
Toasted chevre on toast with salad
Duck with cous cous
Apple tart

 

Kurt's painting of angels

 

I am sleeping with a room full of men tonight (and Mark) - hope there is not too much snoring.

20/9/12
M&M