DAY 5 : FRANCE : SAINT-ALBAN-SUR-LIMOGNOLE to AUMONT-AUBRAC - 14.5 kms - 4 hours

Distance travelled so far : 89.5 kms

Weather today : cool to warmer : 21o

Our route today from right to left  (east to west)

Today we walked on sandy paths through pine forests and pasture land.

Walking in pine forests

We enjoyed blackberrying and looking for local curly mushrooms, girrolles. We are still getting used to our pack weights, mine at the moment is 13kgs, and Julie is wearing in new shoes.

Julie getting used to new shoes

 

Help provided if needed

 

 Each evening we meet up with fellow pilgrims, some travelling better than others, with plastered feet. Some have travelled at the same rate as us but others prefer a faster pace.

The Aubrac area is full of basalt plateaus and dormant volcanoes. There is a breed of cow, Aubrac, whose milk is used to produce Tomme cheese, a famous ingredient for ‘aligot’ (mashed potato mixed with cheese - a kilo of mashed potato to 400gms of cheese), crème fraise and lardons. We have been served this at every meal for the last few nights with local boiled sausage. Apparently, it is such a traditional dish that it was mentioned in Pliny the Elder’s Ancient History (23-79AD).

Tonight we are staying in a small gite run by a local masseuse. It is new, minimalist and contained in a 4-storey stone semi-detached home in the centre of the town. We will eat at the hotel across the road that boasts of excellent local fare.

New gite in Aumont-Aubrac

 

Bedrooms

 

Living area

 

 

M&M

6/9/12