- Distance: 4.7km (159.1km total)
- Ascent/Descent: 222m up, 222m down
- Time: 1 hr 40 min
Yesterday, we were in no mood for another hot 28km march up and down, so we opted for a shorter walk.
Despite our water planning and sunscreen slapping, we were both feeling just a bit too dehydrated and sun weary--and the guide said another hard long 26km walk, 1300m up and 1100 down. My right knee is feeling a little numb on the outside and it's popping like it does now and then, so nah, let's do a short morning walk to the bridge, then take the luggage taxi to the next overnight.
The first walk was behind the auberge up one of the gorges in this
limestone country, to a 180m high bridge built a century ago.
Yeah, it was high enough so you couldn't see the bottom, and my
knees were already feeling weak--so I declined to go across. The
bridge was kind of OK, but I was really enjoying just walking
through the cool moist beech forest; it was all of 19C and while
we both were sweating the air felt fresh and invigorating.
After we came back, we waited a bit and Constatin the taxi driver
drove us the 25 minutes to our next overnight in Sainte-Engrâce.
We rinsed out some clothes and hung them to dry, took naps, then went on a little safari to the 11th century
church across the street.
The church was severe, inside were some pews and a few stained glass
windows (how old?
hard to say). The church's near-Brutalist severe exterior was
what was really imposing, asymmetrical and brooding, particularly
as the storm clouds gathered and dumped a bit of rain. Took a few
pictures that I felt came out great, then retrieved the semi-dry
laundry off the line and moved it inside.
Dinner was served next door, in what feels like a kitchen/living room from the 16th century, noodles with pork chops (cantaloupe and cured serrano-like ham to start, and a lettuce salad.) My usual habit of having zero appetite on longer hikes is fading, and I ate every bit of it.
Tomorrow is a very slow climb to the St Pierre ski area, close to the crest of the Pyrenees and the Spanish border. It'll be the highest we've been so far, 1700m, and there is a grocery named Marmotte there, so we'll see if we see any marmots too, here's hoping.