October 16.  Limoges to Aixe-sur-la-Vienne by train and then on to Flavignac by foot and the power of the mind. 22 km.

To try to shorten the day plus avoid a long sidewalk trudge out of Limoges, we decided to take a 15 minute train ride to a starting point just outside of Limoges. This also gave us an opportunity to go to the Tourist Office for our pilgrim stamps and visit the Museum of Resistance.  

Ken’s breakfast consisted of the lollipop he got from the Korean restaurant last night.

Our apartment was in a seniors’ residence. It was a little spooky as we never saw anyone except for the lady who let us in.

Ken thought this was an appropriate place for us to stay as we are both seniors.

Limoges is located in what was called Vichy France during WW2, which was not occupied by the Nazis in return for capitulation. But capitulation was not agreed to by all and pockets of resistence generally coalesced into the Free French under Charles de Gaulle. This area was also at the heart of the French resistance. So sad to see the atrocities carried out against the French people by the Vichy French.

I include this book because we visited the remains of this village in 2010.  The Nazis, believing there were resistance fighters here, rounded up approximately 600 people from this village (everyone they could find), locked them in the church, opened fire and set fire to the church with everyone in it (most still alive), as well as burning  the town. The oldest person was 81 years old, the youngest a baby only 10 days old. The village has been left as is, an open air museum, and is a horrific reminder of war.

But we move on to the train station.

This photo is for Nancy, who will know just how I feel.  We can take the 15 minute train ride and begin our walk of 30 days to St Jean Pied de Port…or we can catch the Bordeaux St Jean train which will get us there in 4 hours.  Hmmm.  Choices. Choices.

These buildings are sooo old.

Lots of trout in this creek.

An old roman bridge arch.

Lunch outside the grocery store.

This house has a cat ramp up to the balcony. Didn’t see a kitty though.

Jamie saw us passing and offered us water. He had just finished a three day hike 2 days ago, then played basketball with his brother and broke his foot. A Camino angel for us as the 13 km day turned into a 22 km day (2 km in Limoges being tourists) and the hills have been horrendous today.

Note the old fashioned stone direction sign.

Little Kenny squished against the one lane bridge while a big truck passes.

Field of dried sunflowers.

A random corn growing at the edge of thevroad.

The school bus has a flashing big and little person sign in the top left corner.

We heard this mule braying before we saw him. He looked so lonely. I just wanted to scrunch his adorable ears.

So what? I like dandelions. And why isn’t dandelion spelled dandelion with a y?

We stayed at an old farm/mill nestled in a small deep valley. We love when we find out the place we have chosen is so eclectic.

No food for miles so Scott cooked up a batch of rice in chicken boullion with herbs de province (yes, he is carrying all that). Very soul-satisfying and tasty after the most difficult walking day yet. Ken had supper in bed because he was cold…or so he says).

Bit disconcerting day as we thought we had a short flatland walk after a layoff of almost 10 days so we were just sauntering tourists all morning in Limoges.  Once we got started the hills just kept coming and of course the trail distance was underestimated.  The packs seemed extra heavy too, now that Rawley isn’t here to roll the odds and ends.  Good thing Ken is so tough and needs only minimal pampering!  (Inset Terry eye roll here).