Some Life : 9/18, Pamiers to Montégut-Plantaurel, 11.8 miles, 46 floors

Today we marched through Pamiers into the city center where surprisingly a little farmers market was taking place. Jenny bought a delicious, but expensive brioche that tasted of oranges. It will be our lunch tomorrow....

We had a few false steps, but then successfully made our way out of the city, over the Pont Neuf, and up up up the hills. I sucked in all the water I brought...1.2 liters or so in the first hour....it was hot and steep!

At the halfway point we stopped in the village of Saint Victor Rouzaud for lunch. Thankfully they had potable water for us since I had siphoned through my allotment pretty quickly. One thing we learned yesterday from our lovely host Anne, is that you can always get potable water in the cemeteries. Good information for thirsty pilgrims.

The highlight of the day was the sheep. At the end of the day we passed many hundreds of sheep. Many had bells, maybe 10%, but they made a racket .... a symphony of bells, some staccato (in the woods...what was going on?) and some clanging randomly. I could imagine a symphony being inspired by the wonderful clanging. Dozens of the sheep were sheltered under a copse of trees next to a creek. Some were resting, others drinking water, and again, others activities were unknown.

A view of sheep.

Ok, so tonight we are at a donativo house...room and board, pay as you wish. It is a funky place decorated like crazy. I have the elephant room....

So dinner tonight was quite spectacular. We asked for vegetarian, and our hostess, Katie, gave us quite a show. For starters, cantaloupe slices with a cucumber salad on the side, plus a cauliflower salad. Next, a petit pois soup, followed by some fried Ceps foraged by our co-pilgrim Christian (Christian II on the pilgrimage). Next we have a ‘melange’ of cabbage, cheese, and fromage blanc. All served with a lovely rose. Next comes the cheese course and finally, a fruit cocktail served with a pound cake.

I am full. thank you.