Stage eleven (second half)
St Etienne Vallee Francaise - St Jean de Gard
17.4 kms (30,185 steps)
6 hours
Forecast : 22o and fine
Such a lovely stay with Catherine and Michel. A very talented couple who have created an amazing business - including honey and saffron!
About twenty minutes walk away was the busy town of St Etienne with a lot of accommodation, including a chateau, a large school and community.
As we were passing through our French mates were walking the other way as they were exploring a different path to St Jean de Gard. It was a good opportunity to say goodbye.
Good surfaces this morning, particularly for the steep climbs.
I was discovering different plants on the track right to the end.
Our highest point today was Col St Pierre 596m.
Then the track deteriorated into some rocky sections but our worst fears were not realised as most of the descent was on wide dirt tracks.
Starving, as we entered St Jean de Gard we stumbled across a Cafe de Wheels serving last lunches. Mark had a toasted baguette and look at my chèvre salad - enormous!
A few other walkers resting, reviving and refreshing, too.
So,appropriately, our last night is in the Hotel L’Orange where RL Stevenson stayed in 1878 and housed his donkey, Modestine,in the stables, now the hotel garage. Trés jolie!
Dinner at a restaurant owned by the hotel.
Bonus to share the meal with Hans and Paul from Holland and the lovely German girls, Sarah and Petra.
A wonderful walk!
M&M
1 comment:
Well done finishing the walk in fine style.... JulieJ
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