Monday 30th of April 2012,
Maslacq-Navarrenx - 23km,
Well its been a bit of a do I or don't I day, took of to Sauvelade, thinking that may be it for the day, but after some morning showers and some coffe of to Navarrenx. Made it with only a few shower and relatively dry.Will be glad when the sun comes out!!!! then I will probably be complaining about the heat!
Well getting close to finishing the Chemin du Puy only 86km to Roncesvalles.
then another 750km to Santiago de Compostela, then another 120km to Muxia via Festerra.
Well off to check out town then diner, cheers, Luke.

Sunday 29th of April 2012,
Pomps to Maslacq about 20km, well I started 4 weeks and some 640km ago. today's walking was on gentle terrain up and down as always, the odd shower, though pleasant enough walking and chatting.
A new village every few kms and arrived in Maslacq a bit after midday in time for lunch and feet up.
More people on the walk now, some people take years to do the walk doing a couple of weeks each year. Have come across the occasional person that you do your best to avoid from then on but most are great .... though language can be a bit difficult at times ... but a little wine  and everyone seems to understand each other??? It must be close to a east day, the body is feeling a tad tired, and its great to sit down and put the feet up. The afternoon was spent washing, drying and resting. Then a wander around town and diner at the pub ... emails and update blog and off to bed shortly.

Saturday 28th of April 2012,
Arzacq-Arraziguet to Pomps, about 21km ... tossed up as to have a rest day due to overnight and morning rain. At a break in the weather we tossed a coin and off we went, as it turned out we had a dry walk to Pomps, then it opened up again ... rained most of the afternoon and heavily as night fell.
Well we are all cosy and feeling good after a Saturday nights festivities, bed and a well needed rest awaits.

Friday 27th of April 2012,
Miramont-Sensacq to Arsacq-Arraziguet, approx. 16km
A slow start today, fog, mist a light rain .... we lingered over morning coffee a lot longer, then it cleared ... we set foot and scooted .... 3 hours later with only a bit of a misty rain at times arrived at Arsacq-Arraziguet. Settled in to a yummy lunch and then do the usual cleaning chores.
A leisurely look at the town and then diner, Friday night restaurant packed loud cosy and friendly atmosphere.
Well its late evening now , so will sign off for today.

26th of April 2012,
Walking from Aire-sur-l"Adour to Miramont-Sensacq, Approx 18km
Easy walk in dismal conditiond, grey, light showers, cold, yuk, yuk, yuk!
Why am I doing this, L love the walk, but the weather is Ahhhhhhhhh ... terrible.
Hope for better weather ....... soon!
Mood, flat, grey weather, not inspiring, down right depresing, but friends keep you going!
Those evening diners, if it wasn't for them?
Well lunch wasn't halve bad,  so do the lawndry and dry the things
, a bit of a nap then diner, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Getting a head of my self, well its todays agenda!
Luke

Wednesday, 25th of April 2012,
Nogaro to Aire-sur-l'Adour, approximatelt 30kms easy walking again in dismal conditions, grey, the odd shower. Have managed to avoid the heavy rain,though I can see it coming or going around me.
In over 3 weeks of walking this beautiful country side I have seen the sun for only a few days.
Well its late so off to bed now, cloths washed and dried ready for yet another grey day tomorrow.

Tuesday 24th April 2012,
Lamothe to Nagaro, 27km, overcast with a dash of sun, then showers and more sun,  well it spring!
Settled in and doing washing, etc, and will head out shortly ttto do the sights.
Tired , but want to look around, well maybe a beer at the local. Diner, and who knows, then another day on the trail. Feeling a little tarnished, may need another break. See tomorrow?

Monday 23rd of April 2012,
Condom to Lamothe, about 26km today, again its overcast and grey, the odd shower and coolish about 10-12deg C, easy walking, pretty rolling countryside. Though will look forward to that hot shower at the end of the day.

Sunday 22nd of April 2012,
Marsolan to Condom, 23km today, and again its overcast, the odd bit of drizzle .... I am really looking forward to some sunny weather.
Rolling countryside , easy walking, pretty towns and friendly people.

Saturday 21st of April 2012
Miradoux to Marsolan, the odd light shower and finally some sun.

Friday 20th of April 2012
Auvillar to Miradoux, grey and the occasional shower, still no sun.

Thursday 19th of April 2012,
Rest day in Auvillar, still overcast and raining, havent seen the sun in ages.

Wednesday 18th of April 2012,
Moissac to Auvillar,

Tuesday 17th of April 2012,
Lauzerte to Moissac

Monday 16th of April 2012,
Lascabanes to Lauzerte ( when time permits will Update)

Sunday, 15th of April 2012,
Walked from Cahors to Lascabanes today ... an easy stroll of some 23kms. Walked part of the way with 2 German ladies, who have been walking the Chemin du Puy for a number of years, each year they do a couple of weeks and only walk 10 -12km a day and have there luggage tranported. This is there 3rd year.
Well its getting late so will sign off ... amother easy day tomorrow, around 23km to Lauzerte.

Saturday,14th of April 2012,
Playing a bit of catch up as didn't get a chance to blog Saturday.
Walked from Varaire to Cahors, about 32km, initially small towns every few km, then nothing for 18km - lovely country side, nice weather, but coolish. Walking on my own today, Simone and Rene having a break due to shin soreness.

Friday 13th of April 2012, a bit after 9am,
Am sitting in enjoying breakfast in a small town called Faycellea on the way to Varaire, where I will stay tonight, about 500m of the path - otherwise its a very long walk today to the next accommodation.
So far am about 290km from Le Puy .... so basically averaging about 23km a day.
Holding up very well to the walk ... no blisters which is great, but its nice to put your feet up at the end of the day.
Thanks to all the emails of encouragement, and to those saying "you should have done it last year".Yes I am well aware that the same time last year was a very warm and dry spring and I would have been more worried about sun burn than frost bight, or exposure. No It hasn't been that bad just a tad damp over and under foot.
Had an omlet for breaky, mmmmmm.
Onto some emails now.

Thursday 12 of April 2012, 9.45ish
Walking from Figeac to Cajarc today, weather seems ok, a bit like Melbourne back in Oz, 4 seasons in the day. Well have taken a break and enjoying a coffee and a bagget for a late breaky. Found they had Internet so thought I would take the time to update and catch up with some emails.
Walking by myself today, up and down and around the country side goes  ..... and all these beautiful villages ... its fantastic. Well must get going as still have about 25km to go today.

Wednesday11th of April 2012, 9am
Walking to Figeac today, another cloudy day with possible showers ... so whats new.
Running late so, toorooo.

Tuesdat 10th April 2012, 3pm,
Just had a great lunch, yum, yum, yum, mussels,duck and crepes, great wine ..... mmmmmmmmmm
Rest day, pissing down outside, snuggly snuggly inside. Still have the itch to keep walking but cold and nast outside .... wine wins over, and sanity.
Well diner still to come, well some one has to do it,
Regards Luke

Tuesday10th of April 2012, 10am
Up early this morning and walked to Livinhac-le-haut, only 6km from Decazeville where I stayed last night. Intend to stay here today and rest up as its going to pour down today - managed to get here with only a light shower, but I could see heavy rain all around , but guess I was lucky.
Sitting in a cafe having a coffee and brioche, yum.
Will post some more later.

Monday 9th of April 2012, 6.45am
Another overcast day, freezing outside but will head of shortly as today will be a good day a little sun and low to mid teens temperature wise. This whole area that we are walking through is just so beautiful, with all the old stone buildings ... apart from the cars its like stepping back 2,3 hundred years in time.
Had intended only walking to Conques today, but lots of bad weather coming tonight/tomorrow so will see if we can make it to Decazeville about 31kms away .... like everywhere here its either up or down very little flat terrain. the villagers are so help full if you get off the path and go the wrong way .... they go noh, noh, and point you in the right direction.
Many of the villages seem totally bereft of people .. but cloths on the lines and windows open for airing the house. Have hardly seen a ct or a dog .... lots of chooks and ducks though.
Well, to days travelling companions are saying come on .... get going!
So must go ... walking with a Canadian couple today.
So avour for now, Luke

Sunday 8th of April 2012,
Its a little after 6am .... up early as church bells are ringing non stop (Easter Sunday) oh well may as well get going after a coffee and some breaky, no rain expected today ... its overcast and chilly, but will warm up.
Stayed at Estaing last night and had a great meal at the pub with Simone and Michael (French) and Eric (Austrian).  We plan to walk together today, but no certainty, as things change constantly during the day. On my way to Espayrac today, some 22km away lots of little towns and villages every few kms, very picturesque.
Well bye for now.

Saturday 7th of April 2012,
Got to Saint-Come-d'Olt about 3pm, considering it started out snowing first thing in the morning ... most of the walk was in sunshine, though a touch chilly, then a light shower as we entered the town. About 8 of us walked together for most of the day.
Only abot 19km todaythough its a 50% chance of rain/showers all day ... so heading out shortly ... another late start.
So out and on to Estaing ... wet weather gear on and away.

Friday, 6th of April 2012,
Late start as its snowing outside, but meant to clear shortly and then some sun for a change.
So first time to catch up with postings sice I started my walk. Plan to walk to Saint-Come-d'Olt about 24kms away, depends what time we get away from here. Its nearly all down hill from over 1300m down to less than 400m so it will be warmer.
Well it looks like some one has just turned on the lights outside as its stopped snowing and the sun is shinning, so will see if the locals say its safe to move out.

Thursday, 5th of April 2012,
Of to Aubrac today, just under 25km ... more cloud and rain about but holding off for now. Mainly flat country today but at 1100m plus its cold and grey. small towns every few kms, picture postcard stuff.
Made good time, walked most of the way with a youg German couple. Where at our destnation in no time. So settled down for a leasurly lunch with the German couple and a chinese girl that walked the last few kms with us, the group grew quickly to abot 8 as others came in cold and hungry ... so after a few hours and way too much beers, of to the lodgings and a shower and nap ... almost missed diner, then back to bed.

Wednesday, 4th of April 2012,
Walking through what is high Pasteur country, lots of snow on the ground but track is clear and mainly dry, towns further apart here, sky is very grey so wonder if we are going to get more snow, wind is light but cold, so beany on head and gloves and vest on. Heading to Les Quatre Chemins today - about 25-26km.
Scenery bleak due to conditions ... so on and on ... very few pilgrims out walking today .... arrived about 1pm at destination.
So lunch and a brandy followed by a beer, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Then wash.. usual routine and a nap as its raining outside.
Diner with about a dozen other pilgrims and then bed.

Tuesday 3rd of April 2012,
Up early again, after a restless night,  a long day today if all goes to plan, again mainly uphill, climbing to just under1300m - mid morning ran into some snow flurries, luckily only light. So head down and push on. A coffee or hot chocolate when ever possible .... walked some of the way with Mary and Bill from London ... there only doing about 15km per day and having there luggage transported, so walked mainly on my own today.
Made it to Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole about 2pm.
Though the weather is less than perfect I have had almost no rain so far and just a little snow.
Tired today, but body holding up ..... we are getting close to where they make Armagnac and Cognac so may try some of that before bed tonight.

Monday 2nd of April 2012,

The rustling of sleeping bags and the zzzz of zips being opened and closed, time to get up .... arrrrr its still dark outside. Oh well get a move on, a couple of coffees some boiled eggs and fresh bread, yum.

Then out into the cold morning air, pick up some fresh provisions about 7km down the road and then its back up hill again - steeper this time foe about 3kmthen steadies off. I'm walking with Ingrid the dutch lady  The country side is beautiful even tthough the overcast skies, drifts of snow still everywhere, track is dry enough though. We wander though medieval looking villages and pass old barns and derelict houses.

Arrive in Saugues about 1pm and grab lunch at the local pub, Had a couple of beers and lunch of some local sausage (a hot terrine back home) and bread - all the food seems to be a bit light on vegies or salad?

Find accom then the usual routine of was, self and then cloths and investigate town.

Diner, some wine and a well deserved sleep, ear plugs necessary tonight several snorers trying to out do each other.

Sunday 1st of April 2012
Set out from Le Puy very early, cold but clear ... its going to be a sunny day, so need to make the most of it as a change is on the way. Forr the next 17km its a steady climbof 450m through several towns  on the way to Montbonnet .... seem to be pretty much on my own. saw the back end of another pilgrim, but he/she disappeared into the distanceaand I'm moving at about 4-5km an hour. Had a well deserved coffee and bagget in Montbonnet, then back on the trail .... lots of rustic little chapels on the way. Weather a little warmer and going down hill so make good timeand arrive Saint-Privat-d'Allier a bit after 2pm, got my accom for the night and pilgrims passport stamped .... a shower and wash and dry cloths ready for next day then off to investigate the town. Some diner and a wine with the other pilgrims, 1 French chap, an Italian couple, a Dutch lady and 3 German Ladies so had had a great time .... 3 of them spoke very good English, (lucky for me). Then off to the dormitry, as there were only a few of us we were able to spread out, so ear plugs weren't needed.