Montpellier to Montarnaud 4/9/22

 Hello all.  It will be a miracle if I get this blog out and it makes any sense at all. I am plum knackered. My total was 20.1 miles  I spent three hours trying to find the start of the trail.  How frustrating.  I went twice to the tourist information and they gave me a map.  I couldn't find the blanky-blank street that led to the trail. Turns out I had to find the bottom of the aqueduct. OHHHHH - now I found it

Estatua equestre Luis XIV

The Water Tower built in 1689, sits at the end of the Promenade du Peyrou.  What a stately edifice. 

Here is the dad-gummed Saint-Clément aqueduct!  Once I went to the bottom of it all I had to do was keep it to my right.  From that point forward, the trail was clearly marked and easy to follow.

I am starting to see more scenery. Yay!

I don't know how this stop on the metro came to be.  Rosa Parks is a long way from home.

I trekked through quite a bit of horse country and I liked this odd-looking sculpure made out of rusted horseshoes.

I peeped through the gates of this elegant home.  I could live here!

Right before the mountains began, there were several waterfalls.  I was getting so late in the day that I didn't have time to stop and sit for a minute.

You can't really tell how steep this was - but trust me -pant-pant, gasp-gasp! My last 4-5 miles were mostly uphill with a headwind.  I was so tired when I started this that I thought if I got lost again, I was going to sit down and put my head in my backpack.  Luckily, I didn't get lost. I don't have nearly as many problems on trails as I do in towns - the bigger - the worser.

I am staying in a charming bed and breakfast.  Unfortunately, it was up the steepest climb of the day.  The husband walked me down to the restaurant where I had a fabulous meal. My amazingly good meal selections are on the chalkboard.

The salad course was cubed beets with goat cheese in equal parts.  What an interesting balance of flavors.  There were a few onions tossed in and plenty of parsley.  I could get enough of this combination,

My main course was very tender pork with a baked potato, a grilled tomato, ratatouille, and a little tartlet with him in it. C'est merveilleux!

But they saved the best for last!  I had a chestnut mousse with a buttery, cinnamon, graham cracker crust.  It was served with chestnut ice cream.  Try as I might, I couldn't place the flavor of the schmere under it. Even the whipped cream was flavored with chestnut.

Unfortunately, I had to walk up that horrible incline with my aching feet and tired legs to get back to the B & B.  And it was cold and windy. I didn't know I could walk that fast - that tired.

The good news for tomorrow is that my B & B is almost directly on the trail.

So I bid you good night and sweet dreams.