Hotel du Tilleul Aurillac

... view from the drivers side as I was looking right into the gorge (don't worry mum I drove very slowly and was very careful not to drive too close to the edge). Luckily there were many parking areas to stop at so both of us could get out and really appreciate how beautiful it was. On the downside it was still a little wet so hiking was off the cards...next time.<br>

Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne... Literally translates to beautiful place, which is the prefect description for this little village nestled on the Dordogne River. We found a fab parking spot for the night right on the rivers edge next to a cute little cottage with purple painted ...

We left the west coast and headed inland to look for work. We stopped at Angouleme for lunch which had a spectacular view from the old city. We carried on into the Dordogne, and looking for a campsite came across a municipal site in a little town called Argentat-sur-Dordogne. The weather was stifling hot, which that night brought on 24 hours of massive thunderstorms and then 3 days of rain! The Dordogne was flooding and even Argentat lost electricity one night!

... any idea what kind of amount will be charged. And the amount varied widely! Our friend had told us Avignon was dull and way too touristy, but we had a very different experience. Unless we're way more mainstream than we thought (not too likely). We really enjoyed the town, and if you haven't been in one of these medieval walled towns before, I'd think this would be a great one to start in. People were very friendly, and ...

... jean michel, the friar, in the cathedral. today was emotional because a lot of our friends from the chemin are not continuing, so we had to say good bye to them; i might have shed a tear or two saying good bye to some of the nice old french ladies that have helped us along the way. we only have two more days of walking through the french hills before we descend into a valley that apparently ...

Well, we're well on our way toward conqes, the Pyrenees, and St. James the Pilgrim. We just walked into the bustling village city of Espalion, pop. 4000, saw an internet center, dropped our bags and entered. There is a lack of connectedness to cyberspace through much of rural france, which i suppose is a reason that the camino is still here and that france is still france, because even though they do not need the internet, they have the ...

... there are several hitch-hikers hanging round at the next stop. Ride with a quiet young Morrocan. Lond ride. Nice car. However Chris and I concur that his music choice ranks bottom out of all rides. Dropped off in the dark by the motorway. Climb over a fence to investigate what´s growing. Grapes galore!!! Chris looks on with pity as I stuff grapes into my throat. Set up camp nearby and feel a bit ill.

Misery. We´re so WET. Chris didn´t sleep. And I barely did. Found a cheap super market and bouhgt a cheap roast chicken to dry our sorrows. A bad move. This over-preserved chicken´s soul will come back to haunt us. Catch about six rides from village to village til we get to ...

... its impossible to describe. On advice from Rod and Anna Hardy we stayed at the Country House Hotel just 8mins walk from the Basilica. Our hosts were lovely and our room looked out over a valley of olive groves and villages, softly tinted with the pink haze that colours the Umbrian countryside. For two days we strolled through this medieval village to the sounds of church bells ringing, the smell of chestnuts roasting and the bustle of Italians going about ...

The train ride from Paris to Cahors was long and uneventful. I could actually feel it getting warmer the more south I travelled. I can´t tell you how nice this was after a few chilly nights in Paris. People think that because I am from Canada I am immune to getting cold but it's not true. I am not used to the cold nor do I like it JUST because I am from the Great White North. Realize that Canadians are just more prepared ...