Arrived in Conques this morning in time for high mass on Easter. This entailed the 5 of us getting up at 5:30 and leaving gite at 6:30. The girls had head lamps but we really did not need them as there was a waning half moon to light the way. It was up, up, up then down, down, down.
We had a huge argument last night about the distance. Three separate guidebooks put it at 11, 13, and 16 km (as if that make a whole lot of difference--well, that is at least an hour walking from least to most). And each of us insisted ours was correct. So we got in 1 1/2 hours early and nearly missed a good seat in the cathedral because we went our separate ways in town once we got here. The mass was great--all incense, robes, and singing. None of us took communion.
Anne Marie and Evart are in constant battles. First is how we dine apres hike. E thinks it should be 4 courses, superbly prepared and AnneMarie thinks we should just throw things together (though she sets standards). Each tries to enlist me on his or side. And of course I agree with each one but always give in to Anne Marie.
Then they fight about the window at night. E wants it open; AM closed. The fights are in English (I think for my benefit) and go like this: "I cannot sleep in a sarchophagus!" and "I cannot sleep in a refrigerator. Then they both look at me.
Our other two companions are Annie the abused divorced housewife from the north of France. She is 40 something and in total fear of both E and AM an
d, like me, agrees to both of their ideas. Then there is Pierre a 60 something bachelor retiree from the French Alps who is going all the way to Santiago. He looks like a French leprechaun and even wears a pointed felt hat. He is too wise to even get into an argument. Neither of them speak any English.
OTHER THAN THAT everything is splendid. We dine with the monks tonight in the abbey and get a special blessing after. Then ups and downs tomorrow. If the weather holds that won't be a problem.
We had a huge argument last night about the distance. Three separate guidebooks put it at 11, 13, and 16 km (as if that make a whole lot of difference--well, that is at least an hour walking from least to most). And each of us insisted ours was correct. So we got in 1 1/2 hours early and nearly missed a good seat in the cathedral because we went our separate ways in town once we got here. The mass was great--all incense, robes, and singing. None of us took communion.
Anne Marie and Evart are in constant battles. First is how we dine apres hike. E thinks it should be 4 courses, superbly prepared and AnneMarie thinks we should just throw things together (though she sets standards). Each tries to enlist me on his or side. And of course I agree with each one but always give in to Anne Marie.
Then they fight about the window at night. E wants it open; AM closed. The fights are in English (I think for my benefit) and go like this: "I cannot sleep in a sarchophagus!" and "I cannot sleep in a refrigerator. Then they both look at me.
Our other two companions are Annie the abused divorced housewife from the north of France. She is 40 something and in total fear of both E and AM an
d, like me, agrees to both of their ideas. Then there is Pierre a 60 something bachelor retiree from the French Alps who is going all the way to Santiago. He looks like a French leprechaun and even wears a pointed felt hat. He is too wise to even get into an argument. Neither of them speak any English.OTHER THAN THAT everything is splendid. We dine with the monks tonight in the abbey and get a special blessing after. Then ups and downs tomorrow. If the weather holds that won't be a problem.
1 comment:
Would love to meet Ste. Foy! Lucky you!
Peter
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