Varaire – Cahors: 32 km – Monday

Woke up to thunder, lightning and heavy rain…..20 some miles in this weather, mon dieu! Fortunately by 8:30am the rain had stopped and we decided to give it a go – even though I admit I inquired about bus service to Cahors – not only because of the weather but because of my sensitive toes….But no, walking was the only realistic means of transport.

The morning turned out to be a lovely walk – down a Roman road (very straight) through forest land – quite easy walking. But by Noon, Zeus decided enough with the nice stuff, and the rain began – for the next 4 hours till our arrival in Cahors. Mile after mile of wet, quiet emptiness. Only a couple of farms and no walkers the entire day. The last kilometer was once again straight downhill – worse yet on asphalt. The weakened knees arrived us into the very cosmopolitan Cahors.

We have decided to spend 2 nights in Cahors - a well deserved rest day after four days of strenuous walking. Our walking “friends” are at the youth hostel. We are staying at a very cute little two star hotel – with a great view of a 17th Century Tower and eglise out our window (picture enclosed).

Cahors is Les’ version of ultimate ecstacy….foie gras is everywhere. It seems to ooze from all the windows, and Les is salivating at the potential gastronomic delights. She has no qualms about being a situational vegetarian when it comes to goose liver. Being Monday most restaurants were closed, but we found one wonderful exception and Les got her foie gras – and since I am big on simultaneous bliss, I ordered the same. Another great diner, and for only 15E (3E extra for the foie gras). One of our walking friends came in and we spent the evening chatting with him. He told us he had met a man on the Camino who was transporting his luggage on a wheeled container behind him, strapped to him by a harness. That was not the interesting part – the guy has started in Finland!...

Our rest day in Cahors was primarily spent eating and recuperating. On our way to dinner we ran into the Belgium couple we had met on night. They were finishing their walk and invited us for a drink. The camaraderie of this walk is probably the most enjoyable aspect… the evening dinner was at bib gourmand Michelin restaurant where once again Les indulged her addiction….