Day 10 Golinhac-Conques 30th August 2006

Stage 9

20.8 Klms, 300m

Hard to believe i have been on the road for nine days, without a break. More beautiful pastures and tiny villages.I try to make the most of it. A few days earlier i got a call from Paris with respect to some meetings about my education program, so I must return, even though now i would like to go all the way to Compostelle.

A few climbs and descents into Conques. Its worth the pain,as Conques is a real reward to the senses. As I descend into the valley, the Romansque and Gothic church spires dwarf the surrounding trees and I get the feeling i have stumbled onto something mythical.

It is a bit of a tourist trap there, but i decide to stay in the Abbey of the Cathedral. A labyrinth of spiralling stairwells and hidden doors leads to our room. That night the abbot speaks before the dinner meal and invites us all to the mass at 8:30 in the amazing cathedral. After that they play songs on a grand piano and then organ, whilst there is a light show that illuminates the giant columns everwhere. The effect is awe-inspiring to say the least.

Smile meter is 8/10