BACK ON THE CAMINO

Espalion – Estaing: 12.5 kms - Monday

Stolen apples are the sweetest. They say the Camino giveth. If so, we have taketh. Within the first two miles out of Espalion we have eaten 8 apples from different trees along the path. So the next leg of our journey begins….
It is good to be back walking. Today was a half day. Bus from Rodez to Espalion and begin at 1pm. A bit chilly and overcast, but a beautiful stroll with only one short, steep uphill stretch. Three hours. Just enough to get the walking legs accustomed to the routine.

The most unusual part of the day was when we passed farmers tending their crop picking machine – to pick leaves, it appeared. We could not devine the crop. They were collecting big leaves….For one of those heavenly French salads? Pas possible…Les mentioned tobacco, but, nah didn’t seem likely.. Later that evening one of our dinner companions mentioned if we had seen the farmers collecting the tobacco crop….Mon Dieu! I know they smoke like fiends, but did you know they also grow the stuff? They probably even have an AOC system for it.

Very few walkers appear to be on the Camino. It is late in the season. We passed 6 walkers and only about 10 or so have arrived at Estaing. Estaing is a beautiful village with a 12th Century chateau dominating the town. There is a good restaurant in the village but it is Monday and everything is closed. Dinner is at the Chambre d’ Hotes where we are staying. The madam does not normally cook for her guests (maybe just on Monday). It is obvious. The only good thing was the wine made by the proprietor – a blend of Grenache and Cabernet. Oh well…