Well it’s 6.30pm, I’m sat with the iPad downloading, I have a beer in front of me and I’ve had a long hot bath… Such luxury for a pilgrim. I’m in Cahors, a rough 35km today and I wasn’t supposed to be here until tomorrow!
My night in Varaire went soundly, despite waking up to find someone else had stayed in the room as well.
I left around eight again, thinking I was in for an easy day! Today I gave myself the luxury of listening to music. I was walking the Cami Ferrat a 15km stretch of old roman road, yep it was pretty much straight!
I knew by walking the extra distance yesterday it would screw up today’s plans, so even from the time I left I had in the back of my mind the idea I may end up in Cahors. By 1pm I’d say my feet were done for, but I’d passed where I’d planned to stay over an hour ago. Supposedly Cahors was only 10km(ish). I’ve decided I don’t trust French distances?!
Finally, I reach La Marchande, from here it’s only about 6km and the guidebook says it’s nearly all down hill.
Well, all I can say is ‘my arse’, for the next 4km(ish) I have been walking gently upwards along dirt tracks between heathlands. It’s beautiful, the sun has finally come out, but I’m not stopping to put sunscreen on.
Finally the path turns to road and the road begins to decend, very steeply. Put it this way I wouldn’t park my car on it!
Some cursing later and I’m at the bottom, I find my way into town and just over the bridge there’s a little pilgrim information centre. I stop for a drink and to find out where I can stay.
Tonight I stay somewhere nice!