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| Aubrac |
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| Home of the Aubrac breed of cattle |
Today I woke up to a howling wind. I took my time hoping it would blow away any rain clouds, but it remained overcast. I walked towards the small village to have a look around, and it started to rain, the finest of rains. I took shelter in a hotel, La Colonnie, and changed into my rain pants. The person there was very nice and even made a couple of phone calls to gîtes where I was heading since I couldn't get a signal on my cell phone. She apparently ran a gîte there in St. Chély d'Aubrac where I was going, but it was closed for the season. A French couple there, also walking the pilgrim route, asked how far I was going. They were pleased to hear I was going as far as Conques, and said it was worth the detour.
Almost an hour after leaving the gîte I was ready to take off again. The French couple, probably in their 50s, left after I did, but soon overtook me. I was going a mere 8 kilometres, but it was hard going with a slippery trail, and much rock scrambling downhill. Tomorrow is almost twice as long (17 km) without interesting stops, so I am understandably concerned.
When I finally arrived in St. Chély d'Aubrac the sun was shining brillantly. The village itself is perched on a hill, and is very lovely, although the town center was pretty much destroyed, and the new one dating from the early 20th century. Saint Chély-d’Aubrac itself dates from the 11th century, a crossroads to Spain, probably because of the Pilgrim Route.
I noticed that there was a public library there (with practically non-existent hours), and a retirement (assisted living?) home there. I laughed at the handicap accessibility sign, though, as this hilly town is hardly accessible.
I noticed that there was a public library there (with practically non-existent hours), and a retirement (assisted living?) home there. I laughed at the handicap accessibility sign, though, as this hilly town is hardly accessible.
It looks like there are going to be a number of us tonight, including 4 Americans. One of the women speaks excellent French, and I think she is a professor in a French department an American university somewhere.
Selections for Day 9 on the Pilgrimage
(Psalm 67) 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and
make his face to shine upon us. 2 that your way may be
known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. 3
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise
you. 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you
judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon
earth. 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the
peoples praise you. 6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us. 7 May God continue to bless
us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
make his face to shine upon us. 2 that your way may be
known upon earth, your saving power among all nations. 3
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise
you. 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you
judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon
earth. 5 Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the
peoples praise you. 6 The earth has yielded its increase;
God, our God, has blessed us. 7 May God continue to bless
us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
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| St Chély-d'Aubrac |
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| Library open twice a week for 2 hours |
Nothing is handicap accessible here regardless of what this sign may say
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