Le Puy to the boondocks near St. Prevat

Bonjour!

What a start to my day.  I thought that the Camino started at the cathedral because I had seen GS65 trail markers by the Cathedral and the lady at the Office of Tourism told me to start there.  In hindsight, she didn't seem sure of much. Careful what you ask is today's Camino lesson.  As I was leaving I asked my hotel manager the quickest way to the Cathedral and she gave me excellent direction.  I should have asked how to get on the trail. I made the long climb up only to wander in circles up and down.  Today was also a lesson in humility.  I had to approach numerous people and ask about the Camino.  All were nice and tried to help--a  reminder that we do nothing without help.  Finally, a nice lady walked me to the street and pointed me towards my hotel.  Yep, after two and a half miles, I walked right by my hotel.  Do you know how frustrating it is to wander out of the way for so long?

But I still had miles to go.  And I finally started down the correct path.  Kinda like my walk with God.

Saint Jacques as the French call Saint James.  A welcome sight.

The first time I have ever seen such a warning on a Camino.  Like I need help getting lost.  Jeez.  Evidently, he doesn't hurt anyone just get them lost.

The symbol of the Camino in France

The beautiful mountains in the distance. 

Hopefully, you can read the information about the crosses.  Every time I see a cross I say prayers for all my friends.  This journey I am carrying two little stones.   One for my lovely friend June who has a rare type of cancer and one for a family member near and dear to Dennis and me.  She has such an addiction problem with alcohol and drugs that she has become almost pitiful.  Perhaps the stone should be for me because I have such trouble dealing with her or for Dennis who is so patient. I have been praying for her for a long time.  So say some prayers for her.

I love back faced sheep!  I once was told that farm animals all lay down when they feel safe from predators.

Isn't he a dandy Billygoat!

I love the signs in foreign countries.  I have never seen one advising of a trashcan ahead.  I guess just in case at that very moment I was thinking of littering.  I will say that this is the cleanest trail I have ever been on.  There is NO trash anywhere on the trail.

Every hike I have to learn a new system of markers and such.  This one is pretty well marked with road signs pointing to which way you want to go.  It is important to know the hamlet you are headed towards rather than your final destination.  Lucky, I had some written direction so I made out okay once I found the trail.  Tomorrow I will have better info.

Interesting signs along the way.

This section of trail had sticker bushes that kept grabbing at my clothes and hair.  Ouch!

You know I can't resist those kitties, especially the black and whites.  I miss my babies.

One of the prettier churches I came across.  Too bad it was locked.

Today was a mixed bag although I loved it.  It turned out to be 20.2 miles with lots of up and down.  There were no bars or restaurants along the way.  I saw so many signs of bars and every single one of them was out of business or closed until April.

Lunch on the trail was good.  I had sort of a Tabouli with green peas, spring onions, and green lentils plus bulgar wheat and goat cheese.  I added some salted peanuts because I always add walnuts when I make tabouli (or buy at Trader Joes)

Today was one of those days where my bed and breakfast is a farmhouse 6 kilometers out of town.  Dinner was absolutely fabulous.  We started with pumpkin soup that was creamy and delicious. It was served with crunchy garlic bread.  Our main course was sausages over green lentils cooked in a Southern manner with plenty of seasonings.  Bacon maybe?  Then we had a cheese course with four fabulous local cheese and warm french bread.  And then one of the best desserts ever.  It was cooked in a tarte pan but didn't have a crust.  It was more like gingerbread with apple slices on top arranged in a circular pattern.  After you got your slice, she served her grandmother recipe of cream Anglais which you pour over the gingerbread cake.  One of the finest meals of my recent years.  YUM!

 There were two other guests, one was a woman from a French Island and the other was a man from an Island between New Zealand and Australia.  He was the biggest horses petude I have met in a while.  A tall handsome man of about 65 or 68.  He announced right off the bat in perfect English that while he could speak English he wanted to speak French so I should just ignore him and the woman.  She was kind enough to occasionally include me in the conversation.  Her English was pretty good.  It is not that I expect everyone or anyone to speak English.  He was clearly trying to charm her by never taking a breath and I am sure he was talking about himself..  Handsome is as handsome does.  Just because I have a little of the devil in me, I periodically ask her a question.  She was a retired judge.  You should have seen the look I got from him.  I heard two doors close tonight so he wasn't successful.

So goodnight for now.  Tomorrow I have the most difficult trek of the journey.  I will be in major mountains my hostess talked me it was a very difficult day.  Say a prayer.  Love to you all.