Shared Illusions

Where to begin? It feels like days since I posted, though it was only  the night b4 last. That should give you an idea of what yesterday was like.

We left Figeac around 9. The guidebook stated that the 19.25 mile hike would take about 8.5 hours. 10 hours and closer to 23 miles later, we arrived. Has to be an error. Part of the problem was that the Gîte was another 1.5 miles out of town, which we didn’t realize when we booked it. So we didn’t get to see Cajarc.

There was some harsh going with ascents, descents, mud, and rocky terrain. I was a wreck after 15 miles and wanted to hitch a ride. Better judgment and support from Ed prevailed and helped a lot.  I also kept thinking of people on long, tough marches with greater loads to bear and not nearly so well fed.  And though I was in a sour mood some of the time, I also found the strength to muscle through.

Then the Gîte wasn’t so comfortable, and I was annoyed with the French people at dinner for a variety of reasons, none of which made sense in reality, but that’s the mood I was in.

Now for some photos from that days walk, Figeac to Cajarc.

Somewhere along the way on the day, I stopped to take a pebble from my shoe in the middle of a paved country lane. Sometime later, not too long grace a Dieu, I reached for my phone. I just knew it had slipped from my pocket. Running back, I prayed that another had found it, that a car wouldn’t come by. An approaching pilgrim recognized my panic, and before I could say anything, pulled it from her fanny pack. Two seconds later, a car came by. The Camino knows how to play games with you.

Here’s another Camino episode of salvation. After that strenuous day, and being so so tired, we decided to take two days in Cahors, after one easy day to Varaires from Cajarc, and one more long arduous trek, Varaires to Cahors. In our zombie state of mind, we booked an apartment in Cahors,  then realized Malle Postale could not deliver there since no-one would be there to accept them. No way did I want to carry my pack on another 20 mile route, even if it was a relatively easy day, length and terrain-wise. Divine intervention stepped in again when I received confirmation from the apartment and saw that the owners also had a hotel! I called and asked if our host if our packs could be delivered there. Bless the man, he agreed and even said he’d deliver them to the apartment! And thanks be, because somehow we got off route and onto a variant. Our 20 mile day became 23 miles.

I was so bone tired. Ed too. We had dinner at the closest place we could find, even though all it served was charcuterie boards. I was thrilled when olives were delivered to the table.

Now for photos, Cajarc to Varaires, May 27:

That’s all for now. Will get caught up on Varaire to Cahors tomorrow!