Bonjour! It was a light day in many ways and not so easy in other ways.
My truckstop motel from last night. Not my preferred accommodations but clean and nice enough. I have learned over the years that five-star accommodations are not always possible on a hike. It beats the heck out of a Refugio.
I walked by this school this morning and I thought it was so cool. The artwork was magnificent. I wondered if the students painted it.
Somebody with some real talent contributed to the paintings.
I was beginning to think that I was going to have the shortest blog in history but then the sights got a little more interesting.
This fascinating modern cross was outside of a church in Ville de Castlenau. Too bad the church was not open.
The plaque under the cross.
Ville de Castlenau had really charming streets - narrow and scenic with lots of trees in bloom.
Ville de Castlenau sits on this gorgeous river that separates it from Montpellier. The best news is that I was able to use google maps for most of the day. It slowed me down quite a bit but I am starting to feel a little more comfortable with the maps. The bad news is that once I get out of range then even when I am back in range, I can't get the maps to work right. I think that is because I have American service instead of European. I paid extra to have service here but it is not working the best. I CAN make phone calls.
My hotel is very nice and right smack dab in the middle of everything. Tomorrow I shall do some exploring. The worst news is that my camera is on the blink. I may have to buy a new one. This Panasonic camera has been a terrific camera with a big zoom and I was pretty hard on it during hikes with rain and weather. I have been really (well mostly good) about not dropping it.
Tonight's included menu.
Included dinner in my hotel was wonderful. I started with a salad with really fresh raw salmon. OK, in all honesty, I still kinda think raw fish is bait. I like sushi but only if it has just a little raw fish.
My main course was the real deal. I had a choice between fish and veal kidneys. Take a guess which I ordered. The fish was a very light, mild white fish with the most unusual (in a good way) sauce. I couldn't decide what was in it. It almost tasted like it had a touch of chocolate in it. Not sweet as in dessert sweet - that would be yucky over fish. Clearly, there was butter in the sauce, it was a French restaurant and the sauce was bursting with flavor. That little brown bag behind the fish had 3 fresh warm rolls - perfect to sop up the sauce. It was accompanied by new potatoes and grilled zucchini with onions. If I could cook squash with that much flavor, y'all would be begging me for the recipe.
So although my hike was only12.2 miles I was on my feet for a lot longer. I can walk forever but standing around kills me, always has. It seemed like I was standing so much checking my phone. Boy, I like trail markers much better but today there was a section where they were scarce so the phone was useful. GRRRRR.
Good night and sweet dreams!
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