Jour 2 -- Conques to Noailhac

It was difficult to sleep at night with people coming and going, creaky  stairs, a heavy outside door, etc.  Accommodations were basic,  but adequate and the "pilgrims" were friendly. I had breakfast at the St. Jacques, the only place open on Sunday, and recognized the quirky owner from a year ago.

The climb out of Conques was horrendous--thank goodness it wasn't raining or I wouldn't have made  the steep climb to the Ste. Foy Chapel and then some.   The wildflowers along the way helped some, although I met a French Canadian man who lamented he had made a mistake and walked for an hour and a half in the wrong direction before discovering his error. Little did I realize then that I would make a 40 minute mistake myself the next day.

I don't know  whether it's the season,  but I found the flies annoying. I don't the presence of these cows helps. This wayward one escaped the fence and trotted along ahead of me for quite some time. I only managed to pass when a car had to maneuver around. . .

 I finally made it  to Noailhac where I stayed at the Gîte Communal having both lunch and dinner at the Restaurant du Chemin St. Jacques.

leaving Conques

The romanesque bridge leaving Conques

Inside the chapel to Ste. Foy

View of Conques from the Chapel of Ste. Foy

stray cow on the path

luncheon salad

 (Psalm 19) 1 The heavens are telling the glory of God:
the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day
pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not
heard; 4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and
their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has
set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom
from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its
course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from
its heat. 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the
soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the
simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the
heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and
righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than
gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and
drippings of the honeycomb. … 14 Let the words of my
mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to
you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.