Montfaucon-en-Velay to Saint Julien Chapteuil, 23Km
Putting the room to one side, last night’s hotel was one star ok. We discarded the set menu and the three of us shared an enormous omelette, fries and salad as well as the local blonde beer which should always be first choice. I had no plumbing in my room or nearby so I made a couple of visits to the WC by the bar, two floors below and it was quite an exciting nighttime adventure.
Our breakfast was also delicious, fresh baguette and croissants and cafe au lait. I was set for the penultimate walk of this pilgrimage, through the Velay towards Le Puy which we’ll reach tomorrow. The temperature is now peaking in the high 20s and that’s plenty hot enough for me. We enjoyed some spectacular views of the numerous volcanic cones that make the area so interesting and get you wondering what it was like all those millions of years ago when the volcanoes were active and whether the fires will ever return.
Being a Sunday, all the villages were silent except for one family enjoying their Sunday lunch in the garden. An alternative explanation for the silence was that all the children had been rounded up and brought to the Queyrières village green where they were setting up camp for the night. They made a charming backdrop to our own one star cheese sandwich, kindly provided by the hotel this morning.
Pilgrimage 
The ultimate walk tomorrow then! Well 👍
Cheers it was the ultimate!
Well done Tim! A hugely enjoying description throughout. Think how much you will miss those quirky lodgings along the way after tomorrow!
You’re absolutely right, Tim. I’ll miss all those quirky lodgings and everything else about France
I agree what a fabulous landscape – all those volcanoes as you say what would it have been like. Made me chuckle on the Lego house as reminded me of my own childhood skills or not. Let’s hope that tonight is more than a one star🤞
I think our Lego houses were better than that effort!
Kia ora, Tim, delighted to see a photo that proves not all donkeys are depressed! looking at the landscape of volcanic remnants makes one think of pimples and acne. I’m sorry to read that you have only one day of walking left as, once again, I’ve really enjoyed your blogs. Where to next summer? Kia kaha.
I haven’t even thought about next year except, after this year it will be somewhere flat like the Netherlands!
Lovely views, and interesting blog per usual. Poor hotels are so much more memorable than average ormediocre hotels, I think…
They certainly are more memorable. I think the best places are the ones with the nicest people, not the most bathrooms
Oh no….it’s nearly over… 😔 Whatever will we all do?
How are you feeling about the end another journey Tim?
Whatever will I do? Last year I learned a lot about Austria but I was glad to get home because it was such a lonely walk. This year has been wonderful and I’m going to miss everyone I met as well as the walking. But it’s always nice to get home again