The day from Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac to Espalion had challenges and surprises. Waking up after a tough day, we dreaded the thought of squeezing our feet into our wet boots. Thankfully they had dried overnight from a heated cabinet and were ready for another day of trekking.
The weather was cold and wet again, but the surroundings were beautiful. After a few kilometers of walking we found a donativo coffee station which provided a break from the dismal conditions.
If you look at the positives, all the rain over the last week has made everything so green. Sometimes while I walk I truly cannot believe how beautiful the trees and foliage look.
We had a warm lunch in a town just out of Espalion. I can’t remember the name, but the sights were gorgeous! I had a pizza, and my mum had a steak.
After lunch we continued on with the last leg of the day to Espalion, a beautiful town nestled by the Lot river. This town was absolutely stunning – we loved the last bit walking in and seeing these pretty sights!
While we waited for our Gite to open, we actually set out in search of an optometrist. My mum had been complaining of a sore eye for the last 3 days, and sure enough there was an eyelash growing towards her eye and scratching. When our gite opened at 3pm, I had to perform a minor surgery (not really, more just used a flashlight and a pair of tweezers) and I pulled out the culprit eyelash.
Our Gite was great! Run by two young girls, who cooked us MY FAVOURITE dinner of the ENTIRE trip, a Dahl curry. Absolutely amazing, I would recommend!
The day finished and we realised we had reached 7 days of hiking along the Via Podiensis. Amidst the uncertainties, muddy trails, and unpredictable weather, we found comfort in the small victories and shared experiences that make each day special and meaningful. As we settled in for the night in Espalion, we had gratitude for the challenges that kept us going, the amazing kindness and generosity of the local people that eased our path, and the wonderful connections we made with fellow pilgrims.
Only about 4 more weeks to go – Haha!
Jess x
Chasing After Jess 
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