Well, off to a wet and rainy start today! After breakfast at the Hotel de France bar across the road from Gîte Le Sorbier, it was time to set off from Nasbinals fully decked out in my wet weather gear.
The path I missed last time (H6)
In 2019 took a bus on the section between Aumont d’Aubrac and Aubrac. Time was not on my side and I had to make choices, I regretted missing the Aubrac Plateau which seemed to be a highlight for many pilgrims.
Joining a memorable stretch (H5)
After a coffee and a snack at the cafe in Aubrac – looking more like a refuge from the rain, I rejoined a section that I had previously taken, and which was one of my favourite sections of 2019. Beautiful paths bordered by rocky walls and lined with trees.
The wrong Number
Arriving wet and tired in St Chely d’Aubrac I was pleased to find my night’s accommodation in a lovely Gîte, open fire blazing and a welcom drink. Aussie Dave and Lorraine were there too. But after finishing my drink and taking off the wet gear I seached the list for my name and bed number. Seems like I didn’t ‘confirm’my booking . I was out of luck. No bed.
Fortunately for me, the tourist office was open and I was able to find alternate accommodation, albiet a bit out of town. An hour later, the owner of La Savonnerie, maker of horse milk soap, picked up me and another out of luck pilgrim and took us to our accommodations. The woman, with two young teenage kids was lovely and we chatted about her business in broken Franglish. The room I shared with the dour French Commando was fabulously confortable. This wiry little fellow was retired and he was treking about 40 km each day.