After waking to a sunrise over the mists in the valleys, we breakfasted in the hotel cellars,
and then left the Tour des Anglais behind us. The first stage was to continue down quite steeply
off the moors and into the valleys, with good views (and descriptive signs) of the landscape that
had been formed by ancient volcanoes.
We took some time to admire the lovely little village of Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac,
and to drink a coffee, before leaving by its 15th century bridge over the river Boralde,
with a sculpture of a pilgrim on a cross. The church of Saint-Eloy was well worth a visit,
built in the 19th century (to replace the ancient one destroyed by the English) with
later superimposed galleries and many interesting sculptures. A few fragments from the original
church were on display.
From there, we had more pastoral ways, stopping at a pilgrims shelter at an old bake-oven guarded by
a dog and two cats for a rest and a snack. The path wound down through chestnut forests
on sometimes rather steep and stony tracks, crossing the ancient roman road from Lyon to Bordeaux at one point.
We passed another closed cafe that had promised coffee and cake for pilgrims, and continued on
to the medieval village of Saint Come d'Olt in the Lot valley, arriving sore and exhausted at the
Ursuline Convent of Malet.
Our private room was very pleasant (with a shower) and Sue could attend Vespers and Compline with the sisters.
The meal in the refectory was very nourishing, and we met up with some previous pilgrims, including
four Swiss ladies.
