Villetelle to Vendarques 4/6/22

At breakfast this morning, I learned a little more about my host.  He is a retired Air Force Pilot or Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace, which is the army version of the air and space program in France.  

I had to walk the mile and a half back to the trail but things went smooth for a while. I immediately started up a mini mountain with a hard type of trail.  These rocks are hard on your feet.  And you have to look down the whole time, lest you twist an ankle.  It is a bit slow going.

Finally, Some beautiful scenery.  I was higher up than this looks.

A map of the hiking area.

Going down the mini-mountain was a bit like a winding cave.

I stumbled on this incredible church in Verargues. A woman cleaning the church let me in for a peep and a prayer.  It was evident that she was very proud of her church. I scoured the internet and could find no photo to identify this church. There was no name on the outside.

I love rose windows. 

This photo is mostly for Janet.  It seems that ninety percent of the horses in Southern France are white.  What made me laugh is look at the legs of the front horse.  She has both legs straight out in front like she is waiting for her manicure to dry.

Things went down hill after Verargues.  I followed the trail markers and was on the GR 653.  My day was supposed to be short, about 10.8 miles.  At about 12 miles, I lost the markers.  Walked back to the last one.  Yep, I was correct but when I came to a t-intersection there was no indication of which way to go. I flagged a car down at the intersection to ask which way.  It was a young couple with two little girls in the back seat.  The woman who spoke a little English said, "You know it is a long way?" Well, this perked up my interest.  "How long?" I asked.  She said, about "20 to 25 kilometers" I must have looked stunned.  I sure felt stunned. OMG twenty MORE miles. She looked at her husband and said, "Would you like a ride?" You betcha. I couldn't get in that car any faster.  I threw my backpack in the trunk and sat between the two tiny girls of about five in the back seat.  I felt like a giant.  This family drove me to my hotel and it was at least 25 miles.  The woman looked up the address on her phone and I am sure they went way out of their way. They would accept no money. Chemin Angels. I talked to my booking company and evidently the markers were wrong.  She said that it is rare but it happens. Today's lesson was kindness and perseverance.

Today's mileage was only 12 miles but it sure could have been worse.