Conques.

This is impossible. The heat is becoming unbearable, I am inheriting a moody sullen malaise - nothing will fix this. There are two options for tomorrow. Walk or bus. It is finished, back in Conques. Last time it saved me from the savaging of the Aubrac, but this time if feels like corporate pilgrimacy has come to town, this time it saves me from it's own illusion. For each pilgrim there should be a questionnaire to get below their faux pretence - an analysis beyond their skin to find out what dark mysterious secrets are smuggled in that body.

I was here by around 2pm. The Abbey is a focal point from above the gorge and I was looking forward to it, but I am now just underwhelmed. Meh tourists.

***

A brigade of youthful Germans are in the Abbey Sainte Foy; I don't know why? They're planning cards and talking as though they were everyone.

When the war was lost Hitler put boys in uniform, gave them temperamental grenade launchers and watched a future fall: and he blamed them all for his total ineptitude. At that point every single respectful German should've seen his desperation. His madness was bright. Why was his cult so insurmountable? His words were empty promises. The men went off to fight in Russia without the correct equipment and froze, starved or were the living dead. Why were there so many openly willing to put these people to their deaths? Did the Great War leave such a demented person in control of so many countries? Yes it bleeding did: the war that brought in a new world. The old order was completely overwhelmed and the new order were so juvenile still.

***

Three Masses on Sunday in the cathedral - who ever make the wafers and wine has a steady income. I really cannot be bothered with religion and the babble of nonsense. Here comes another meal surrounded in faux solemnity.

And why in god's name is it dix-neuf heures. I seriously get so confused about what time they mean when I am very tired. In French there is very little variability in how what is said. Unless people just repeat the same things over and over again.