Day 12 Conques- Livinhac le Haut 1st September

Stage 10

25.8 klms, 700m

Very hot day and now walking with Julie only. Unimpressive countryside, after the climb of two or three kilometers out of Conques.

A lot of it is on the road today, which is not good for the feet, but good for speed. I discover a good walking tempo, with the aid of my staff and the back is feeling fine. I am glad I persevered with it.

We have a roadside lunch and are passed by Jacques and Chantal a mature couple from Nantes.

Livinhac is not impressive at all and seems tired and rundown. If not for the occasional pilgrim, i wonder if it would exist at all! At the gite, we meet Hartmut who invites everyone for dinner and prepares a nice healthy meal. Everyone brings a bottle of wine and we have a good celebration, with Chantal providing the entertainment. Six bottles go down between ten and the next morning we are informed that Jacques and Chantal took a short cut, which was probably the wise thing to do.

But, I must say that its the nights that are the highlights. Simple sharing of food, wine and laughter. We are all the same on this road. It does not matter what you do for a living or where you come from-the road is all that matters.

Smile meter is 9/10