October 18. Chalus to La Coquille. 23.87 km.

Another summery day, although Ken says cold rain is coming soon. I was tempted to walk around the yard for 0.14 km to round up to 24 km.  A strange day in that sometimes we had full wind (ie lots of energy as opposed to wind produced by the weather and/or Ken 😵‍💫) and life was good, and other times it was a trudge. There were 3 steep hills but the ones that were on the forest trails seemed so much easier, oddly enough, even with the uneven footing and piles of chestnuts and acorns.

Scott spent the night in the loft, with some pretty rickety stairs to go up and down.

Ken has been growing this scruff since his birthday on October 5th. Terry says he is too lazy to shave. Ken says it’s a fashion statement.  The goal is an actual beard. So far, the only goal reached is people avoiding him. We’ll keep you apprised of the progress.

A beautiful garden of Amaranth.

The route takes you past the tower where Richard the Lion Heart was killed by a cross bow in 1199.

All 3 pounds of him wanted to eat us.

Pilgrim statues everywhere…but not a pilgrim stamp in sight.

Just a slightly steep hill, nothing to it! (puff puff wheeze)

So many sheep clustering in the shade.

Saw a few Lotus going by in a clump. Hmmm. One of those might, just might, be faster than walking.

Sometimes the chestnut leaves and nuts were over ankle deep. Fun to walk through.

Doesn’t he look like he wants to bite you?

I wish this photo could capture how stunning this field was, with volunteer sunflowers and corn and whatever the white flowers. Like jewels sparkling in the sun.

Starting to see the more traditional Camino scallop shell emblem… Perhaps because this town has a pilgrim refuge and also because the town we are headed to (La Coquille) is named  Scallop.

Ken was sad to see this old Citroën beast slowly giving up hope as some squatter’s home.

We thought this was the Camino shell but it’s actually a honey bee as this place is an apiary.

The BugSnax came out to say hello to this pilgrim.

Ken took the opportunity to find a beer while I was with the BugSnax and while Scott patiently watched our bags.

There is a stealth cat in this photo who was convinced we could not see him, even though Ken told him we could.

We finally reached our accommodation and had to phone to be let in. Turns out the lady (who speaks French only) is a pilgrim host, has done the Camino, and had a pilgrim stamp for our credentials.   Serendipity for sure.