Well I wake early as usual, but by the time I’ve repacked (the backpacks still no lighter), we’ve had breakfast and loaded the car it’s almost half past nine! Our journey back to Figeac is an hour.
We find a car park on the other side of the river and I gear up, ready to head off. The folks see me off (again), and soon I’m back to following the red and white markers directing me across France. The first hour and a half, see’s me walking back to almost the same point I entered Figeac two days ago, also I suffer with cramp in my right calf! What a great start.
After such a disappointing start, I find my pace again and soon I’m steadily heading towards Gréalou. For once I left my phone on as I’d been talking to the folks & Jaz earlier in the day. Now I noticed I had a message and missed call from the folks. I read the message to find they stayed in Figeac for another disappointing lunch (now either dad’s turning into a grumpy old man, or they are really bad at picking places to eat…not to sure), they were going to Gréalou and waiting for me. As shocking as it was, I walked the last kilometre to the village and low and behold, they’re walking the other way towards me…?!
I discover Gréalou has no gite d’etape, so I sit with the folks, have a drink and half a warm cheese & marmite sandwich and carry on. (I would like to point out, I set off at 10.45am rather than the usual 7-8am, it was now 4pm, I’ve walked through the hottest part of the day, and now I have another two hours walk in front of me…)
So, I set off as my parents tell me they’re in no rush to get home, they’ll drive to Cajarc and wait for me? What’s going on…?
The walk down to Cajarc is beautiful, the town is set below chalk cliffs on the river Lot. Finally I arrive, and yes, the folks are here waiting for me. I find a gite, book in, (well when I say book in I mean dump my gear and write my name on the whiteboard). Returning to see my folks, who finally admit to be worried about me…. Awwww…. I assure them there’s no need to worry, I am a master when it comes to ‘wingin’ it…! So they finally depart to head home. I am exhausted and fall asleep as soon as I lie down….
-
Recent Posts
Archives
Categories
Meta
-
Join 181 other subscribers
The Way to Santiago Blog 
Hello Tom,
I would just like to forward a quick mail to say congratulations on what you have achieved so far – not just the distance travelled but especially the money raised for UNICEF. I must admit that I was one of those who expected you to be on the way back home after that bad boot related start.
Your daily blog has become compulsive reading – we check for updates as soon as we switch on the computer in the morning and again on close down.
As you approach Cahors I will be taking particular interest. I walked the camino from Cahors to Montcuc in 2004.
At Cahors I spent the night at the Youth Hostel (sharing a room with the obligatory snoring Frenchman). From there I walked to Montcuc and stayed at ‘Le Souleillou’ run by Jacques and Simone. Le Souleillou is brilliant and the meals are fabulous – usually duck – try to stay there if it fits in with your schedule.
From Montcuq I walked to Durfort Lacapalette and stayed with Lynne and Howard Jones at the ‘Halte du Pelerin’ (they are an English couple with children who served the meal). Halte de Pelerin is basic but very friendly.
My final night was spent in Moissac and I stayed at ‘le Carmel’ a former Monastery. I cannot recommend Le Carmel enough. Please try to stay there – the building is magnificent and meals were taken in a large communal hall. I felt it was a priviledge to be part of the occassion.
Best wishes, we will continue to travel with you to Santiago.
Bill and Ann H (Beckington)