I have been sampling Pain Chocolate for several days (okay almost all of them) and Pascal, I am happy to report that I have found only one that is as good as yours! Now you have to work on the perfect pastry called the Jesuit.
Each day the countryside changes. I was told that the most scenic is the portion I just completed, Le Puy to Conques: I'm sure that even if it's not as pretty; it will be as interesting. I met a lovely young woman you could be a twin to Julie in Revelstoke. She is walking all the way to St Jacques with her dog Bandit. Over the last 5 days we have shared a meal and some beers and walked together a little. Today she continued on while I am taking a day off to meet up with Jean-Luc's sister in law and her mother for a few days of walking together. This is how it is on the Chemin - the crowds are thinning out and people start going at different paces so they come in and out of your life. A good buddist lesson of non attachment.
One of my favourite days so far was actually my shortest and took me almost as long as other days. The route took me high into some lovely open pastures. Once a herd of cows was blocking the gate where I had to pass. Being a little nervous around cows I took photos until another couple came and I followed them through. The day was very cold and windy and the fog swirled in and out and around which added to this surreal beautiful landscape. It started to rain lightly after I finished having my lunch but not even that could dampen my spirits. I walked the whole day alone and it was wonderful.
The next day was a tough one - long mileage and lots of hills. In fact the next 2 days were challenging but my body (especially my feet) are doing well. Stayed in a lovely gite one night where I took the evening meal and it was fantastic - a pork stew with chestnuts served with penne. Saw some beautiful villages, St. Come; Espalion, Estaing. And finally I arrived in Conques. Oh my - words cannot describe this village that hasn't changed in hundreds of years. A magnificant cathedral dominates this little village. My photos aren't even capturing the beauty of this place. I pleased that I chose not to rush through and take a day just to soak up the atmosphere.
Still no big revelations about the direction of my life - maybe I will have to walk all the way to St Jacaques in Spain! Oh no - am I turning into Forest Gump?