Well today started well with a very quick bus ride To Le Estrets. It was still very hot and we needed to cut the kilometres in order to actually survive the day! We met up with another of our Fromargerie compatriots who was suffering from significant knee pain. In fact swelling was quite obvious so it was clear she was in pain. But she kept walking, as you do, and we kept walking too.

She was faster than us even with the knee problem! There was, as you can imagine, still a lot of up. The reason for this is that we were heading up towards the Aubrac Plateau. This área is is known for two things in particular when walking this track. 1. It is the highest altitude we will cross and 2. It is the least populated area in France. I should also say 3. It has a lot of cows that are moved up in summer and down from the plateau in winter (more on them later).

So we meandered on past fields or paddocks. Depending on where you come from apparently. A field has a more romantic connotation to me. A paddock is perhaps not as exciting and can be a lot smaller. We had this discussion over many kilometres. And whether we were looking at scenery or landscape or whether I was looking at a magnificent vista! I guess we use different words for our personalities as well as our language!

I guess when it’s just a track leading up then it’s just a track! But when you get to the top you may have a vista!

Anyway we eventually rolled into Aumont Aubrac after being tortured by many signs suggesting it was only 2 minutes away. We pondered the potential as we passed the signs. Two minutes by jet engine was our final conclusion!

Anyway we eventually made it into town and spotted the French women who I had first met the night of the Exorcism and subsequently walked with to the ecologique pool in Saugues. The mermaids of Saugues! They were sitting relaxing outside a bar opposite another Beast of Gauvaudan statue.

Also nearby was our Fromargerie friend with the sore knee. It was very sore now. She and I went to visit the Marie (the local council) and the Church hoping for a stamp in our credentials but unfortunately it was rest time so the stamps were hidden away! Fortunately the church was open and the glass was spectacular.

Others arrived huffing and puffing and unfortunately we had to leave the pilgrims awaiting the Gite opening time as we had secured reservations at a hotel with a swimming pool and, although not opened, a 2 star Michelin Restaurant! Unfortunately the less recognised restaurant was also closed for an afternoon rest and, as we arrived looking frazzled, exhausted and hungry (très faim), the receptionist felt sorry for us and whipped up a quick snack. Seems a quick snack from a Michelin kitchen is something special!

The pool was good and so was the “snack bar” for dinner. The food seemed to arrive from the same kitchen as the Michelin starred restaurant. The maître de was very proud of his moustache! The hotel was a good choice in this weather!

Although Air conditioning unfortunately was reserved for the common areas! Thank heavens for my trusty fan! Bon nui!