On our way to Monastier the taxi driver suggested, “Vous faites du yoyo aujourd’hui!”. (A lot of up and downs today.) He was right. We had a couple of small valleys to cross and a serious drop to the Loire with a steep path uphill afterwards. We were rewarded during the latter exertions by good views of Beaufort Castle. Going downhill the path had been steep over tree routes and loose stones and so one could not spend too much time looking at the view.
There was a stiff climb out of valley in strong sunshine. A flock of sheep caused traffic chaos on the road below. Well, there was a queue of three cars following the sheep. There is not much traffic or even people in this part of France. It was a long day with a lot of muddy paths, steep drops and climbs and a cold wind. It was early in the season. It might be better to start in Le Puy and walk to Monastier for an easier first day
We got to the hotel: l'Auberge de Courvige in Le Bochet-Saint-Nicholas at 18:00 and were worried by notice on the restaurant door about annual holidays. However we were let in via the back door of the pub. We observed this Germany the restaurant was shut but the hotel was open. We had a good meal – a coarse paté with salad, lentils in cream with veal and mushrooms, fromage blanc and chocolate mouse.
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| RLS set off from here. |
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| The path was probably better in RLS's day! |
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| RLS stopped here! |
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| Beaufort Castle sketched by RLS |
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| Auberge de Courvige in Le Bouchet |
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