Walking the Camino de Santiago
The village of Estaing is home to a plethora of art made from common household items. This was the first one that I saw, just after running into Marten and Nina sitting at an outdoor café having coffee. I joined them, and we had a great conversation before they left to do their last 7 km of the day. Although […]
» Read more
As I mentioned yesterday, Estaing’s bridge over the River Lot has two pieces of art at its center, facing each other across the bridge. On one side there stands a Cross, and on the other side facing the Cross is a statue of Blessed François d’Estaing, the Bishop of Rodez who was responsible for the construction of the bridge. And here […]
» Read more
Estaing’s bridge over the River Lot was completed in the early 16th century, and the Camino passes directly over it into the town. The Bishop of Rodez began construction of the bridge in 1490, which is why there’s a church on the left bank. Although you can’t see them in this photo, in the middle of the bridge on one […]
» Read more
The Camino eventually returned to the road, and shortly thereafter I caught my first glimpses of the village (town, really) where I planned to spend the night: Estaing! It towers over the north bank of the River Lot, and it almost looks like a town from a fantasy novel. It was only about 1:30 PM, so I would have plenty […]
» Read more
After leaving the little village of Verrières, I was soon on a main road again, which ran above and roughly parallel with the River Lot. Then the Way left the main road to go up a ridiculously steep hillside covered in loose slate. Soon I was walking on a ridge above the road, which itself was on a ridge above […]
» Read more
After Trédou, the Camino passed through several tiny villages – or perhaps farmsteads – so small that most weren’t even on my map. Finally, we came to the larger village of Verrières. It appears to have been the home of several mills, but in recent years found a new life as a suburb. This photo was taken from the Pont […]
» Read more
This image in the little church of Trédou is, despite appearances, a modern poster mounted on a metal backing, if I remember correctly. In any case, it’s a poster, and it’s attached to a pillar in this 15th century church to appeal to pilgrims walking the Camino. I would love to know the origin of the original image, as I […]
» Read more
The little church of Trédou was built in the 15th century, although by that time there had already been a church on this site for at least 400 years. It’s sort of quasi-Gothic. The stained glass windows date to the 20th century and are quite lovely The sign outside indicates that this was originally a monastic church, which definitely tracks, […]
» Read more
After passing through a small village (or possibly a large farmstead), I arrived at the little church of Trédou just as the bell rang out noon. Marten, one of my roommates last night, and Nina were eating their lunch on a picnic table outside. Two Bavarians had found each other! It turns out their hometowns are only about an hour’s drive […]
» Read more
The Camino turned onto a rough dirt and stone road through open pasture land before eventually dwindling as usual to a narrow dirt path through trees and brush. This path, which soon acquired ruined stone walls to either side, trended increasingly downwards. There’s something of the romance of færie in these places. Date: 25 August 2023 Place: between Le Briffoul […]
» Read more