Nasbinals to Saint-Chély du Aubrac

I think the knee is a tiny bit better. It didn't help that I had to drag my suitcase down six flights of stairs and then walk back up to get my backpack, but I had a lovely breakfast of way too much food.  The croissant was fresh and warm and there was homemade peach jelly.  There were also many sausages and cakes but I was trying not to totally pig out.

Mostly trails today and this section was very pretty.

This is the first time I have seen such a sign.  No dogs, no horses, no bicycles and no motorbikes.  Hmmm!

Fabulous scenery!

What a way to travel.  On every Camino that I have taken, I have seen one donkey.  I talk to people who have never seen a donkey on the trail.  It sounds so wonderful to let the donkey carry your bags but not so easy to find a place to house them at night or find enough food.  They also had two very friendly dogs and I got doggy kisses.  In actually, these were my Camino Angels. I couldn't figure out which way to go and was wandering in circles.  They were headed back to Le Puy (the opposite direction) so I could tell where the Camino went in my direction.

This section seemed to be like a mountainous Kansas--fields as far as the eye could see.  In the summer, the farmers drive the cows back to these fields.  The winters are too cold and snowy.

A surprising location for a Madona.

I liked the gates for the church coming into Aubrac.

Another tribute.

I was able to have a coca-cola zero in this incredible little bar/hotel/restaurant.  

My photos don't do justice on how luxurious/elegant it was.  

Of course, there was a house cat--not a white hair on her.  I don't think she crossed my path--not that I am supersticious or anything.  Actually, in Europe, black cats are considered lucky  Only in the US, are they considered bad luck.

Just some photos on the wall.  This is cow country.

The whole trail from Nasbinals to Saint-Chély du Aubrac is considered so beautiful that it is a part of the Unesco World Heritage.

More trail.

Crosses were commonplace and often set against beautiful scenery.

More views.

This was a photo of what the area looks like in Winter.  Notice that the snow is covering the house up to the roof.

A very friendly French girl on the trail just ahead of me.

Volcanic rock.

As I entered the town of Saint Chély du Aubrac a gorgeous tree in full bloom.  

All-and-all this trip is wonderful.  Even with the knee and calf struggle, it is so beautiful that I have had no regrets about limping on.  

I wandered out of my hotel only to immediately spot Jo.  We wandered around the town and into the church.

Ever so plain on the outside as I am learning that most French churches are unadorned.

A beautiful altar.

And a relatively famous rose window. It was mentioned in the guide book and it was beautiful.

Just call me the most "head in the clouds" traveler in France.  It was about 6:25. Dinner was to be at seven and I was wishing it was earlier.  I was in my room killing time when the phone rang.  Who would be calling me???  I tentatively answered and it was the bartender/owner? and he wants to know if I am having dinner.   Of course!  Are you kidding? Me, miss a meal?  Oh, mon Dieu.  So he asked if I can be there in five minutes.  Of course..food!  There are four other tables occupied.  I turned on my iPad to read and it says 7:30.  Huh?  Well, all my devises say different times.  But something niggles at my tiny brain and I look up Daylight Savings Time in France.  You guessed it.  Saturday night, the time changed.  I couldn't figure out why things were open when they shouldn't have been and closed when they should have been open.  No wonder!  That means that I put my luggage out an hour too late this morning.  At least that didn't bite me you know where.

Dinner was superb.  I had a very fresh green salad alongside Duck Confit and aligot potatoes, the local specialty.  I am not a big fan of duck breast but Duck Confit...I love!  And it is a famous French dish.  This one lived up to my highest hopes.  Tender--flavorful.  Excellent.  I am still not wild about aligot potatoes but they are okay.  The salad and the duck confit were so good and plentiful that I didn't need the potatoes. For dessert, I ordered chocolate mousse, another original French dish. Yum!  Light and sweet and a perfect ending to a meal.

So since I lost an hour and I am rushing to get everything packed and done.  Type you tomorrow.

Hugs and kisses!

PS--today was 12.1