Gramat turned out as a very nice little city finally with some social life, offering all varieties of food and drinks, shops, etc. We ended up to select a favourite restaurant, le Coeur Gourmand, known for its simple but freshly prepared meals. We also could shop for our packed lunch for the day ahead, and opted for some Couscous and ham, with the unmissable baguette and croissants.

On hindsight, we should have spent there more than one night, but knowing that the end of our journey was almost near, we wanted to move on through the last stage.

Not long after having left Gramat behind, the trail descended rapidly into a canyon escavated over the centuries by the Alzou river, which apparently should have had originally a very turbolent life in his younger dsys with many rapids and waterfalls, but now reduced to be pretty dry riverbed at least during the summer season. As silent witnesses of its past, at the bottom of the canyon there are a number of ruined water mills, indicating very significant changes in the economy of the valley in the last 200 years or so.

Finally the canyon opens up and the trails turns into a dirt road with clear signs of many cars either parked at the roadside or waiting to pulling into a wide parking area with many people walking in and out or having picnics with their families. To be frank, the massive display of touristic mess is quite a turn off, but the sudden appearance of the layered structure of the Rocamadour village. Sanctuary, Rocks and the Castle, took literally my breath away.

We have made it at least for the physical side. We stood in contemplation in that very spot for a few minutes, trying to absorb all the mixture or elation, excitement, amazement and other complicated feelings that surfaced all together.

Probably the lowest point in our journey from all view points: emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The night spent in the super basic gite in Rudelle, turned out to be too rustic for our well being. Despite a relative good mood the evening before, when we managed to prepare a long desired vegetable soup, and we could share some light laughter moments, getting eventually to sleep was not easy. The idea of having a toilet that was basically a bucket in a shack in the middle of a field, was adding apprehension on top of the million noises we were hearing while laying down with our eyes wide open. Raffaella was convinced we were under attack by a legion of mice and other allied critters, while I was trying some unconvincing theories about mice having other more interesting jobs to do than biting our feet.

Fact is that when at about 2 am, I had to pay a visit to the outdoor shack, Raffaella joined wholeheartedly. Remarkably we were greeted by the brightest star canopy I could remember since a long time. However the humbling show of beauty, could not reconcile our sleep, and the sunrise caught us totally stoned and in a rather bad mood. We barely spoke during breakfast and during the usual morning packing. Likely the only things I said were wrong and not sufficiently emphatic to lessen the evident fatigue in the relationship. Off we went without saying anything else, hoping to find soon a bar for some restoring coffee and croissants.

Nothing more wrong. The road was snaking again in between wheat fields with no such thing as a place to rest, let alone to get some food or drinks.

Once reached what seemed to be a village, we had again to knock at the Mayor’s office to get access to a restroom. France is a beautiful country, but surely makes the life of a pilgrim or wanderer really tough.

We were not in the mood for pictures until we reached the point where we thought we could find an overnight accommodation after about 10km since the morning start. Emotionally we had a breakdown and in front of the so long desired coffee, we had our worst argument of the whole trip with definite resolutions to break apart and go separate ways.

Maybe were the stale cookies or the lukewarm horrible coffee, that made us realize that were worst things in life than just ourselves and our shortfalls. At once, smiles resurfaced on our faces and we decided to proceed further up to Gramat.

That was a smart decision, since we were directed by the Canadian owner of the hostel we called first and turned out to be fully booked, to contact Marc. Marc is the owner of a very nice home in the center of Gramat, and an unconvinced host for random walkers that eventually knock at his door after having been rejected by his Canadian friend.

Marc resulted to be one of the nicest encounters of this week.

A very educated gentleman that toured the world for business and pleasure, married to a German lady spending the summer in Germany with her previous marriage children and grandchildren. He is therefore living alone and likely also bored as an old time country gentleman, cultivating his passion for wines (he has a collection of over 2000 labels, rigorously reported in folders with degustation notes) and manning his nice home for the random visitors.

There are emotions so strong, beautiful and  intimate, that it is just impossible describing in simple words what and how  you feel.

This is exactly what happen to me today the 28th of July 2016,  at 2:22 pm when, simply reaching the last bent of another steep slope  I was climbing, raising my eyes  I saw IT. The city on the rock was  finally just there : in front of me from afar, the dark stones, the majestic cathedral.. Rocamadur the final destination of my Yourney,  the reason for I walked and walked and walked more. The reason for I laughted and cried; prayed and cursed; sweating under the sun and chilling in the rain.. My target.  The hope of being able to make it even when it was really painful.. But the desire to do it. For me.

Therefore I feel the need  to put down – now and not tomorrow – the joy I have in my heart tonight, writing  these few thoughts even if my eyes are really almost closing…

I did it. Never alone. Even when I was really the only one human being walking  on the visible portion of  the trail in front of me. I had my spirit with me. Coming from above and pushing me to keep walking.  The willingness to complete the task. But most of all the faith that, no matter what,  I was meant to be there, day by day and step by step.

Thanks to my husband who was walking with me: sometimes ahead, sometimes behind. Sometimes holding my hand and always trying to cheer me up in the most difficult moment. We fighted and we laughted together; we ate tons of baguettes with smelly cheeses and delicious  jambon.. We carried stones of all shapes and sizes to put on our Chemin under iron and wooden Crosses, in the middle  of nowhere or on the altar of small countryside chapels and abbeys.

It has been a beautiful experience.

Really a great one. For me, one of the most important in  our mariage lasted 37 years. And the most amazing thing is that we have now a big task : to plan the next one!! We will keep you posted.

Stay with us and , till then: happy Walk, buen Camino; bon Chemin to whoever is ready to walk the extra mile: testing himself or herself step by step. One day at the time. Out of my  confort zone, breathing freash, new air, I found new ways to be happy, joyful and free. Bonne chance  and a bientot!!

Not sure if it was due to le canard eaten the night before, but the night was agitated. Sometimes when we find the perfect accommodation, it seems that we do not want to leave the following morning, and our bodies immediately support the idea by adding aches and pains all over. Our will power was shaken but determined to ignore the soothing suggestions to stay under the duvet a bit longer. At 8:00, the boulangerie was supposed to re-open after two days, and we did not want to face the risk of staring at empty shelves.

The itinerary was to reach a top point st St-Bressus after two hours and then rolling down slowly towards the small village chosen as the stage stop. We tried to contact also the backpack delivery service to get some help today, but of course yesterday no one answered the phone to book the trip, and this morning the office girl stated that the booking has to be done with 24 advance notice. Duh!

One way or another, someone in Heaven organized the most beautiful morning since we started. We crossed a deep forest with all the chirping sounds of happy birds, and we would have not be surprised if we were greeted by dwarves and gnomes. In facts we just found two pretty odd ones!

During steep climbs, I noticed that I inevitably end up humming some marching tunes. The first is almost always the ‘Ode to Joy’ from LvB 9th Symphony, followed equally as popular by Bizet’s Carmen ‘Habanera’. Today I could hear myself  tuning up also to Elgar’s ‘Pump and Circumstance’ as a new entry. I feel as these tunes were written by all these illustrious composers just to help me during these enduring moments.

Unlike the previous days, today we found many iron crosses as waymarkers and their typical layers of stones, intentionally left behind by other walkers. One had even a prayer or a message written on a piece of paper. We also left our stones we carried with us since the morning.

Once in St-Bressou we were planning to take a stop and rest somewhere, but again to our disappointment, we could find no such place among a handful of houses. No bars, or restaurants, let alone a public toilet. No other choice than asking hospitality to the clerk at the tiny City Hall, who graciously invited us in and use the private facility.

Had to walk for another 6 km before finding a bar in Lacapelle-Marival, to quench our thirst and enjoying an ice cream.

The stage for the day was scheduled to end in Rudelle, where we booked our overnight stay in advance. The little village is another nice example of preserved medieval houses all perched around a church fortified just like a castle tower since the days of the 100 years’ war and the Religion wars. It seems that nothing had really changed since 1000 years or so.
The place we booked was way below imagination and would require a post of its own. Just to document a few peculiar features, here is a picture of the ‘Terrasse’ cum kitchen, the shower and the organic toilet.

But tomorrow it’s another day….so goodnight!

Today we woke up  as early  as 7 with a serious intention to start walking at 8. Just after a very simple breakfast we realized however that something was not totally right. Our bellies were bloated and aching, and we had to take care of the emergency with the highest priority. Again dealing with any need to buy something, including medicines, in France and on a mid-summer Monday morning, was another desperate challenge.  Quite worried we were crossing the sleeping city from East to West to find the necessary remedy for our belly pain. At last we succeeded, but it was already past 930 am,  so we thought that it would not do more harm to relax at a coffee shop before hitting the road again.

We met wonderful and very helpful people so far, very tolerant of our insufficient control of the French language. But we met also a few ones graduated with honors in MBA (Master in Behaving like an Asshole). One was the rude coffee shop owner this morning and the other was another bartender the day before who refused to sell me take-away cokes since he had only glass bottles to be returned!

Anyway, we did not care and exchanged a few jokes among ourselves, heading towards the cathedral to light up our daily candle and leave the rocks carried along the way yesterday with our intentions and prayers: no way! We discovered that not only the main Church but also the other ones in all Figeac were closed. Very disappointed,  we learned that they are open to pilgrims only from 6pm to 8pm. Otherwise, bad luck!

Therefore we could not collect the stamps on our passport in Figeac : just few quick pictures  and we hit the road.

It was a nice and not very long walk today, partially in the woods. We kept looking for chapels or even simple crosses,  where we can leave our intentions …. we need to complete almost 10km before finding one.

At about 2  pm, we reached our destination,  and the medieval village of Cardaillac was in front of us with its amazing  watch tower: we counted and climbed 82 steps, very steep indeed,  but were rewarded by a breathtaking view.

Take a look to the video!

Finally we found our bed fot the night: a cozy chambre d’hote where Jackie, the very kind owner, welcomed us with a big smile  in his intimate home, and cooked a delicious ‘ maigret de canard au miel ‘ just for us.

The day is coming to an end, we thank God again for a blessed day, and get ready for the next adventure: tomorrow we will walk to Rudelle: 13 Km are waiting for us!

Therefore: good night

The overnight accommodation at the Gite La Coste  was too comfortable and we took our time to indulge with our breakfast and prepare for the day walk. Actually when we started the sun was already very fierce and set the tone for the rest of the day.

Helen, the owner of the Gite  and our host, was already busy in her colourful vegetable garden.

The road path went through a pretty much a endless sequence of farming land with  cows of any possible color cows can be. By all means the Auvergne is an intensive cheese producing region so it all makes good sense. Every now and then large bodies of water appear in between the trees to create a cool spot for a rest.

For the whole section of the road we could not find a place to buy some fruit or even get a coffee: apparently French people in this region do not give a damn of the pilgrims and also other tourists: no business was in operation either because there is non, or because today it’s a Sunday, or because even the business owners are taking their holidays in this time period. We had to chew on old bread and chunks of cheese stolen at breakfast. The best places to take a break are near the churches where also the Village Hall is located and there are as also picnic areas and public toilets.

At last we made it to Figeac, our destination for the day. We both are dead tired and luckily we booked a room beforehand in unassuming and anonymous hotel that at least can assure a hot shower and bath.

After some rest ( solid rock sleep!) we ventured into the cosy village of Figeac to look for an ATM, a guide for the rest of the walk, an ice cream and a launderette. The mission was accomplished even if not in the same order.

After all the waiting for the washing and drying, we stopped in the main square for dinner and we had some trouble to explain to the waiter in our non-French expressions, that we wanted to share three dishes. Finally we learned that the term to use is partager!

We managed also to book the Gite for the following day. Do it’s all set and we can tuck in the bed for as well deserved rest.

This morning we woke up at 645: Thierry, our hospitalier  for the night, prepared breakfast at 7am for the whole pilgrims’ bunch.

By 8:30 we were ready to go. We hit the road with a light spirit thanks to a blue sky and cool air.

We reached the tiny church  of St-Roch where we lighed a  candle to get good auspices  for the day,

then we stamped our passports and kept walking….

The rural scenery was all around us, totally peaceful and so far away from the noisy signs of civilization; only cows and horses cheered at our passage!

In one hour we reached Livinhac

where we admired the quiet flowing of the Lot river…

At a pilgrim stop, I left a rock  and we kept walking under the brightest sun.

Almost ready to call it a day, we discovered the coziest  possible  Gite ( hostel ) ever: a whole private apartment in 20sqm  managed by  a very nice Dutch hosting cuple ….. Under an amazing sky..

Good night

We left our Hotel in Conques at about 9am after a night of lighting & thunders…

We started walking under a cloudy  sky promising nothing good…

As a matter of fact in less than 1 h the rain started.. Annoying and drizzling…

No choice but keep walking …

We reached a nice chapel where I lighted a candle praying my Higher Power for my family and friends

We met a nice couple and we chat along .. We keep seeing each other today on the Walk few other times.

And, finally, we reached the shelter for tonight!! Les Volets Bleus

This simple room with bunked beds looks much better than a 5star hotel : see how perspectives in life change😊

I feel blessed and thankful: I managed to walk 19.28 km and part of my walking was under the rain.. Miserably wet.. I did it with all my heart because today I walked for the sake of  people I love very much.

Thanks God to keep me and Roberto safe in the Camino

…and now we are ready to go: blessed in the Sainte Foy Abbey we received the Pilgrim Credentials

 .. Not much else separates us from the real thing: tomorrow we will start walking….and we will keep you posted!

1. Visit Toulouse (1hr)
2. From Toulouse to Rodez by train

3. Visit Rodez

4. Rodez to Mercillac by bus

5. Mercillac to Conques by taxi