Pilgrimage Pt.10.
The test of all tests. Driving snow across from the west as we climb up to our 2/3 point enroute to Saint Albans -Les Sauvages - must stop. Considerable wet. Rushed up the side of the mountain to peak at 1292m. Come to the auberge to relax and reheat prior to the final leg of a grueling 33kms. Needed sustainance definitely. Beef stew and roast potatoes and salad leaves. Readying for my body to assimilate the energy.
With all the exerting came a snow blindness. Everything was tinged with a ring of pink. Now the weather has changed and a thaw is on. Snow balls bounce off the back of my head as we duck beneath the spruce coming out from Les Sauvages to Chapel Saint Roch. Onto a road we're making excellent coverage of my left third toe; a blister and we arrive at Chapelle.
After nestling towards the final few kilometer wondering who am I trying to compete with? There isn't anyone to beat. Feel a little pushed by a Frenchman in shorts. But Sunday will be a gentle wander to Aumont-Aubrac. Reached La Maison du Pelerin. Shattered. Totally worn out. My left knee is swollen with so much walking and my blister is aching. A dutch guy, Hank, has got a beer. That would wipe me out I fear. But maybe it wouldn't.
Met a dog at La Maison du Pelerin. Wondering how mister dogg is doing back in Bramham. I always give a warm hello to any dog on the way.
Am I wrong feeling that perhaps a lot of people don't do this Way of St James for themselves? Why would you only consider this romantic reality after you are retired. Has life had no meaning at all?
The older pilgrims were actually bringing me down but our host and hostess provided a suptious feast and entertained us. The dog here is so friendly I may have recovered a little from my negativity after the last leg of the walk. Tomorrow I'm booked into a friend of the hosts gites 15 kilometres which is a relief. I realised today I've been moving one way or another since Tuesday morning with our dog!
I am not on this journey because it is a challenge, but I might fall into the other category described by the confratenity of St James. Before I get carried away with had become a race there needs to be a night and morning like today. I've hit a low in my mind because I've been listening to the ego dictate my reasoning; with a couple of outside influences.
A simple meal became a beacon to what I had chosen as my path on this journey. I will complete my Camino another way with less demands daily.
I shared the room with a retired couple from Konstanz and a retiree Dutch man who seems slightly seedy and suggestive and laughs heartly at his own wit. Most words leveling his lips are expectantly humourous!
On the walk yesterday I was wondering how I remove someone else's shadow from my thoughts. A man I see that is a corruption of truth and yet doesn't see it. A man who has everything yet seems to value none of it. He must be in my thoughts more often than I am in his.
Le petit dejourner day five. Sat in the lounge cum dining room of our hosts as she cuts the morning pain and asks me if I am married or have children. I answer her I don't I have nothing.
Scrumdillupious confecture a la rhubarb and elderberry rhythm of the jams. The dog is happy in his place after a lonely and solo doggy wander around Saint Alban's looking for the saviour and those to bless with his tinkling.
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