THE ROUTE OF ST JAMES - DAY 5

10 May

Ben and Paul are bemused by the fact that Marcilhac-sur-Cele, once the richest town in France, is in the throes of becoming a 'ghost town' - most hotels, shops, restaurants and the gite d'etape have closed down. Nonetheless they stayed overnight in their large house and their napoleonic beds and the pedalling gourmets were suitably fed and watered/wined.

Upon reaching the town of Cahors at 1.30pm, having pedalled 29.5 miles of relatively flat terrain, they decided to give their cycles a break and take a half-day's rest themselves. Very wise. The only hill was on the approach to Cahors and that particular hill did not merit foul language - which must be the only one, to date, that can boast that honour. Our gents have run dry on superlatives to describe the scenery as it is all just so wonderful.

A sour point, managing to take the edge off a leisurely and very pleasant ride, occurred during the morning. They were cycling alongside the River Cele when they approached a tunnel. Ben dismounted in order to take photographs and was verbally abused by a very obnoxious Frenchman for having one foot on his property.
Acting completely out of character (thank God!) Ben retreated and, in the process, suffered the indignity and potential danger of being stoned by the nasty little git.

They are staying overnight in Inter Valentre which comes under the umbrella of a hotel chain called Hotel La France.

Dormez bien - boys - and, Ben, just forget that nasty little git - he may well have lost the plot.

Jenny