My Chemin de Compostelle--the Via Podiensis: Day 5 : Chanaleilles (Le Sauvage)

Today our little group of 3 French people, another Québécois man, and I had a typical French breakfast together before splitting up. Initially there were three of us, but one woman, who was a faster walker, took the lead. We kept meeting up with a group of Swiss men, and the English-speaking Polish and German women from the day before. We also ran into a pair of South African women, a couple of French women, and more Swiss walkers. There had been two huge groups of Swiss at the 7 am Pilgrim mass at the Cathédrale de Notre Dame in Le Puy the day I left so it was no surprise seeing so many Swiss.

As we walked out of Saugues we saw many more public art statues carved out of wood, often old tree stumps. Many had something to do with the pilgrimage route. About midway, at La Clauze, we stopped for lunch at a little place that made its own cheese, La Ferme aux Fromages, and had a cheese plate featuring the five varieties that they made. We then had a tour of the place and had the cheese-making process explained.

The walk was easier than previous days, but seemed long. I intended to stay at the village of Chanaleilles, but when I called for directions, I was told I was to be the only guest, so I decided to push on to Le Sauvage where a goodly number of the others ended up.

I was about 15 minutes late for dinner and ended up sitting with three older French men and a woman. I have no clue how they knew each other and imagine they all met on the Pilgrimage somehow, maybe through some Catholic organization as all were practicing Catholics. I was exhausted from my overly long trek today and just wanted to go to bed and get some sleep. No wifi tonight available as Le Sauvage is in the middle of nowhere. There are a fair number of pilgrims here as there is nothing else around for miles.

Selection for Day 5 on the Pilgrimage

(Psalm 27) 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid? … 4 One thing I asked of the
LORD, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the
LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the
LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For he will hide me
in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me
under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock. 6
Now my head is lifted up above my enemies all around
me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD. 7 Hear, O
LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer
me! 8 "Come," my heart says, "seek his face!" Your face,
LORD, do I seek…. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and
lead me on a level path because of my enemies.… 13 I
believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the
land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let
your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!