Louis Dalle

Around Aubrac I saw a monument and the birthplace of Louis Dalle.

http://www.ssccpicpus.fr/article.asp?contenu_ssrub=LOUIS+DALLE+(1922-1982)&contenu_rub=FIGURES+PICPUCIENNES

He lived from 1922 to 1982 and was sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp in World War II.

He survived until the end of the war and then became a priest, joining the order of Picpus fathers (which is the same one that St Damien of Molokai belonged to).

He became a missionary to Peru and a bishop. Apparently he lived with and supported the Peruvian Indians and died a violent death there.

A interesting story and someone I had never heard of.

Nasbinals

It was a bit of a wild day today. It was about 13 degrees, with low clouds and strong winds (but no rain until we arrived safely at our Gite).

The countryside around here is known as the Plateau of Aubrac. There are very few trees, which is a big change after the pine forests of the last few days. This means the timber industry is behind us and the farming seems to be mostly dairy cows ( the region is known for its cheese).

I think the weather forecast is for the same tomorrow with an improvement on Sunday and  Monday.

There are still many gites here but the numbers of pilgrims is getting smaller. Our group of 4 has been the only people in the gite yesterday and today, which I like myself.

(Gite d'Etape means pilgrim group accommodation like the albergues in Spain last year, whereas gites d'hôtel or chambres d'hôtel mean private rooms in a hotel. A typical price for a bed in the gites d'etape, plus dinner (which is often very good) and breakfast is 29 Euro. Last year in Spain it was between 15 and 20 Euro, though it might have gone up a bit this year.

Around here the gites cater for other people as well as pilgrims and there are winter sports here like skiing and cross country skiing, as well as some crazy thing involving a parasail and skis. 

Prinsuejols

Stopped in a Gite 3km off the beaten track. Some people wanted to keep walking for another 12km to Nasbinals, but I had enough for the day.

Nearby there is a hill with 3 crosses on it (if you look closely at the next photo)

Aubron-Aubrac

Le Rouget

Above is a chapel to St Roch which we passed today. I confess I had never heard of St Roch until last year in Spain. He seems to be 2IC to St James on the Camino.

I have been lucky enough to have met Marie and Jean-Pierre who have been very kind and helpful and told me about the last 2 Gites.

Last night I had a wonderful meal: a thin vegetable soup followed by a green salad. Then chicken and mushrooms from the local fields. The mushrooms tasted like none I have had: soft and tasty like sweetmeats.

We are now staying at a farm run by Mme Piq. Evidence that it is a real farm is that you walk through a large barn full of recently harvested hay to get to the pilgrim accommodation. I'm looking forward to the meal tonight.

My knee feels fine now. I am walking 15km or less per day and so far I have had no trouble with blisters or toes. Maybe this is a good plan

Jim

Another blog giving some of Jim's thoughts as he is crossing Spain:

http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/jcarty/1/1380208319/tpod.html

Chaneilles

A difference between the Camino in Spain and here (so far) is that Spain has a series of Medieval towns that used to be important and are still busy. After Le Puy I have been through a series of tiny farming villages that might have a bar if you are lucky, but certainly don't have a grocery store, pharmacy or bank. Having said that, I went through an almost deserted village called La Clauze but received some words of encouragement from a kindly old gent there.

I am now settling into the village of Chanaleilles and looking forward to dinner at 7.30.