Friday Sept 20
Cahors to Labastide-Marnhac on the GR 65
A gruelling 12km hike today and a 435m gain in elevation in what felt like a constant uphill climb!
The narrow stone stair case at the West end of the Pont Valentré was very scary, NARROW and STEEP so that I couldn’t get the camera out to take pictures and neither was there even enough room between the rock face and a plunge to the roadway below to turn around and go back down, especially with a heavy pack.
The map I bought in Cahors, as well as the “official” trail on the website showing the GR65, Camino, Chemin de Sainte Jacque…are both out of date. The route was changed this year, as we were to find out further down the road.
The route I have highlighted on the map is the new route, as far as following the official Randonee trail markings goes.
And that was the plan for today. A short 12km hike to our first nights accommodation on the GR65
Despite all the complaining, we made it to our planned destination for tonight, but…not before stopping at the ONLY pub in the village and to enjoy a “refreshing beverage”
Even the beer couldn’t put a smile back on my face after today’s hike in the heat. I have to remind myself, the first day is always the hardest but the beer at the end…?
Our host Didier was fabulous. As host, chef, storyteller…this guy deserves at least one Michelin star and a five star review from us.
The dinner was a 5 course affair, gluten free, from hand picked local produce, some fabulous wines, and some interesting tales of the region, its history, and some of the more notable characters, even a short cut to get back on the trail without having to backtrack through the village.
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