Day 9 Espalion- Golinhac 29th August

Stage 8

26.6 Klms, 650m

We start in good spirits, despite the rain. From the group that started in Le Puy, only Rene, Frederick, Corinne and myself remain, with Hartmut close behind us. So I walk with Frederick and Corinne, everyone else has gone home.

Very tough terrain, especially in the wet. My back is playing up and Corinne has a problem with her leg, as we literally limp into Estaine. Again we have trouble getting some food for lunch, but a kind local bar owner comes to the rescue.

Fred has the idea take a taxi to Golinhac and that proves to be the right decision, as the next 16 kilometres are very steep and dangerous in the wet.

That night we stay in a gite cabin on the mountain top, which has a beautiful lake next to it. We have a big open fire as a storm rages outside and this lifts everyone`s spirits.

Amily and Benoit (a young couple on their honeymoon), prepare some pasta and the rest of us put whatever we have on the table. Everyone puts up 3 euros and one hiker named Carlos (who the day before was charged by a bull and ended up falling into the river) provides the wine. Turns out to be quite a feast, with cheeses, saussison, break, fruit, chocolates. Everyone has a great time and during the course of the evening i find myself conversing entirely in French for the first time- a big moment. I think the wine helped too.

TIP: Very important to finish the day on a high- good and plenty food, plus good company. Its a good reward and encourages the spirit for the next day.