Solitude

 

Advise for hikers: When you leave a gite in the morning always take a photo of the view before leaving.  This will avoid you discovering you forgot your phone after walking for half an hour and having to go back for it!

I walked for 8 hours with a few short breaks and did not see a soul unless deer and owls have souls.  As today is a Sunday I was expecting to see at least some random hikers if not pilgrims but no one was out.  To be fair as I walked up and down hills, through forests, across plateaus and through empty villages the weather was certainly not enticing.  I went from a cold wind, to wind and rain, to sleet and finally to snow. 

I'm guessing the weather gods didn't want me to have brought a rain poncho in my backpack for nothing and I'm hoping they realise I also brought sunglasses.

I finally arrived at my destination in a small hamlet (26km from my departure point for those tracking me) the gite that I am staying in reminds me of Beorn's cabin from the Lord of the Rings. A small but burly old man welcomed me in to a low ceiling room with thick stone, wooden beams and a 

roaring fire.  He lives there alone all year round, with no internet, no television and no material needs.  He likes to go hiking around the countryside whenever he can and takes guests when he feels like it.  He has been here for 14 years since early retirement, his wife couldn't stand it and left after 2 years but he is totally content.

He cooked me a delicious country meal (yes I have decided hiking 6 hours a day in cold weather is not conducive to a good fasting experience) and brought me up to speed on all the village gossip (I'm not sure that was a bonus).  

Tomorrow I have a relatively short stage, before having to do 2 long stages so that I can gain a day on the normal rythme. 

Competition: 1) The first to guess where I am each day gets 5 points.  2) 7 Points if you can guess which film wearing a Poncho made me think of.  (one of my all time favourite films and Dad if you don't get this you are obviously not reading my blog!)