May 21st/Day 52: Montbrison - La-Chapelle-en-Lafaye

Monday evening I already felt a little pressure, the planned hiking hostel with 60 beds was fully booked. But Marie-Martine arranged everything with a morning call to Accueil jacquaire, which are united pilgrim hostel hosts. So I started at 8 o'clock, there were 28 km with a height difference of almost 800m ahead.

The stone crosses are found every day, evidence of an everyday life shaped by religiosity.

Actually rain was announced, which made the pace even faster, but it held up wonderfully.

The day had something wonderful, the last day of the first (time) half of the pilgrimage, symbolically the mountain ahead, which was to be conquered on the last day. From tomorrow on - at least before the Pyrenees - it goes downhill again until Le Puy-en-Velay.

Le Pont Bridge

The paths did not get easier with increasing height.

But eventually it was done, at over 1000m the pilgrim hostel in La-Chapelle-en-Lafaye was reached.

This time we were not alone, Ariadne, a 23-year-old Dutchwoman alone with a tent, Marcel and 4 French people. Dinner together and normal standard: showers, laundry, sorting oneself out, relaxing, planning, chatting ... It usually doesn't get later than 9/10 pm.

My planning is excellent: still 3 days for 66 km, Arni can come on time on Saturday, I even have a day off in Le Puy-en-Velay 😊😊😊👍.