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After a good breakfast in the church pilgrim hostel, where we had the kitchen to ourselves,
we set off into the cool of the morning. There seemed to be a choice of ways to go,
but we followed the official Via Francigena signs, on a path that slowly wound up through the forest.
We emerged on a sunny grassy hillside, with cows and goats grazing by an old farm.
Although we had been told that various plants and herbs used for cosmetic products thrive here,
we saw no sign of their cultivation.
After that a signpost directed us along the forest hillside, where after a rest and snack on a convenient bench,
we found a sign to Rome leading down through pastures to the Dranse d'Entremont river.
Following the river on an easy path, we suddenly came to a gorge, where we had to clamber steeply up the hillside
to emerge in the small farming community of at Fontaine Dessous. From there it was again uphill until we suddenly came upon Liddes,
and the excellent La Channe restaurant where we had a fortifying meat and stew lunch.
After lunch, we investigated the Church of St.George, and discovered a welcoming sign for the Via Francigena pilgrims,
advising us to travel in order to appreciate the way, with the charming villages and magnificent mountains of the prarish,
rather than to arrive at the destination!
From there we followed the valley below the main road for some distance, passing a white deer grazing as well as the usual cows,
before climbing up to the chapel of Notre Dame de Lorette, which was unfortunately closed.
There we chatted to a lone walker, who warned us that there was no where open to stock up on provisions, which was sadly true.
We located the church hostel, the Maison St.Pierre, and after some confusion as to which was the correct door,
we gained entry and discovered that yet again, we were the sole occupants.
After a hearty meal of soup and bread, we went to a local café, where Sue chatted to the locals,
and we could buy half a loaf of bread for the next day.
