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Location Date Pomeys 1508626800 Saint-Jean-Pied-De-Port 1507676400 Navarrenx 1507590000 Arthez-De-Béarn 1507503600 Aire-Sur-L'adour 1506985200 Gers 1506812400 Lectoure 1506553200 Lauzerte 1506294000 Cahors 1506121200 Bach 1505948400 Limogne-En-Quercy 1505862000 Cajarc 1505689200 Decazeville 1505602800 Vareilles 1505430000 Conques 1505430000 Estaing 1505343600 Golinhac 1505257200 Saint-Côme-D'olt 1505084400 Nasbinals 1504998000 Saugues 1504652400 Saint-Préjet-D'allier 1504652400 Monistrol-D'allier 
1504566000 Carlucet 1504479600 Le Puy-En-Velay 1504393200 Ribeyret 1504306800 -
Location Date Tue, 05 September 2017 1504595239 Tue, 05 September 2017
1504595230
Good morning
The first day is completed but only just. It was the best of days and the worst of days and here is why:
After an early breakfast I set out from Le Puy. Leaving Le Puy was not easy- the road out is relentless up hill. The training around the gentle slopes of Lane Cove were no match. Many if not most pilgrims experience the "when will this hill "crest"?( I am not sure if this use of a noun as a verb is legitimate as in medal= to medal)
But I digress. By the time I crested I had caught my second wind and the terrain was more accomodating to the elderly. By ten I had covered nearly 10 Ks of the expected 23.5 for the day. The track at times varied greatly traversing beautiful countrysides with fields filled with those immense roles of golden bales for use in winter and newly ploughed land with soil the colour of chocolate and almost as edible.
Testing slopes and narrow rutted tracks malevolently littered with rock to stumble (another noun verb) the distracted.
Two or three short stops to slack my thirst from my "camel" I arrived at the only cafe opened for business and it was brisk- it was just after midday with about 7 of the remaining Ks remaining.
Lunch consisted in Two small roles with cheese and wilted lettuce purchased the day before and two cokes- the sugar provided the energy to press on to what became the worst part of th day- it took over an hour to negotiate the worst track I have ever experienced. Steep deeply worn like a river with ankle cracking and leg breaking rocks and exposed tree roots. The jarring on the knees and hips tested my resolve.
I forgot to mention, after missing a path indicator and heading down a steep gorge in the wrong direction I was rescued by a damsel contrary to the usual saying. It was indeed a fortuitous encounter. Her name was Gerda and her companion was Gunther- yeas a real live Gunther- there lies a pol incorrect story not to be related. The third member of their team was a beautiful boarder collie, they were seasoned travellers. As it happened we're staying at the same little hotel run by Peter a loquacious Englishman. The evening meal together deserves its own blog.
After a restful sleep I am about to set off for day 2.
Oh the photo- a backward look at Le Puy on departure day. Au revoir
Jim
- comments
Ron Nissen I know the hill out of Le Puy well, Jim. Even the rental cars huff and puff. Ron
Virginia Walker Virginia WALKER MRMOPS - oh my goodness - lots of hard walking but you will be able to look back at this and wonder how you did it. Congratulations Jim - it is more than I could have managed - I did not even go back to Gallipoli a 2nd time because the walk was to be 2 hours and I knew I could not do that. Christine went and left me on the ship. You are a hero.
Margaet Tisch Jim keep plodding along. I know my knees would not be able to do it. I think you are really great to attempt it and I know you will get rich rewards for it in this life as well as the next.
Nathan Mulheron I laughed when I read the hills were accomodating to the elderly, I was picturing a walking frame!! Fr Jim, I am passing your posts onto the Yr 10 girls here at Cerdon who are very interested in your progress.
Susan De Cruz Wow, finished day 1 already. Sounds torturous(hope spelling is correct:)) but beautiful at the same time. Good luck for day 2 and God bless.