ST Chely to Espalion

Hotel Moderne

42C or 157F. At these temps could be visiting G&M in AZ and loafing with Michelle at the Phoenician Spa.

Clean socks today. Lots of moleskin.

Stomped about 12 mi uphill and down (note: this section is supposed to be downhill out of the Massif. Hah!). Luckily with some good pilgrim company for a bit. Finally succumbed to beginning of heat stroke. Would have been embarrassing but luckily a 10 (?) year old school boy who had skipped breakfast and lunch was also suffering.  

Gave up at St Come d'Olt with a spiral eglise tower like Carvel. Found KB at local cafe ( and possible frites stop!!!). Massive ice cream consumption, then took taxi for last 6 km to Espalion. Driv er kept saying "fait chaud"  Yes.

KB also had exciting day fixing flat in boiling heat and looking for tube leak in the town square fountain. Astonishingly, the one good bike store in the South of France was conge annuel.

Said au revoir to lovely French family. The youngest of the three boys practiced his Eng lish by saying he was sad to return to school next week. At least he has a good What I Did Over Conge Annuel essay.

Now in decent hotel with shower resembling Bob's: no soap dish and no room to bend over, although plenty of hot water.

Peaches, necs and melons amazing here.  Lots more Aubrac cows including a statue of one with bizarre English translation (babel fish, maybe).

Scenery changing from striking and dramatic in Lozere region to more ordinary valley.

No staplers or plug adapters in France.