La Souterraine to Bénévent l’Abbaye 25.85 km – 450.91 km walked
Mainly road walking today. One highlight was the working water wheel. Did 22km without a break today!! Hoping this signals the start of my 3rd stage of long distance hiking.
So my 3rd stage, this is where the body has adapted to the repetitive strain. It can now maintain a comfortable steady pace for 5 to 9 hours a day up and down hills without complaint. While I just check out the scenery as we go along.
The only walking pain is the arthritis ache in the right knee. It is not getting any worse so if it stays the same should go the distance. Now just a matter of accept and ignore.
Still have this ligaments pain from ribcage to back but it is now when doing my hand washing over the sink not while walking today. Don’t know what this is but boy is it annoying.
I was told by other French hikers that there was nothing between La Souterraine to Bénévent l’Abbay but the map showed a cafe at Chamborand so I did a slight detour and sure enough the cafe was closed. However there was a sheltered bus stop with a seat and a Baguette vending machine here! Stopped just long enough to re-rig the trekking umbrella for the showers that have just started.
There must be a change in climate around here as the blackberrys are black and edible and the yellow mirabelle plums are also ready to eat. The ordinary plums, pears and apples by the path are not ready yet.
Received a message while walking from the accommodation just after Limoges and the lady must have had a cancellation because she now has a bed available for the 3rd Aug my first day after Limoges. I have changed my route a bit to go via where there is available Accomodation. There were 7 of us in the gite last night and the pilgrim refuge here is full. Fortunately there is a hotel here as well so hotel room tonight. Accomodation remains challenging.
I am not too worried as I do have an emergency sleeping system with me so I can sleep anywhere if need be. Poncho tarp, titanium pegs, string, ultralight airbed, sleeping bag, space blanket and groundsheet. If the weather was nice I might just use it anyway. Unfortunately the current weather for the 03 to 06 Aug is rain.