Adventures in France-Land, Walking V

A bit of an introduction, on our fifth day of walking we mistakenly hopped off the GR 36 trail and onto another.  It was a beautiful walk but took us 20 km AWAY from our intended destination.  This turned out to be our longest day of walking, we figure it was over 20 km, possibly 25 km – that’s a really long way when you are five and seven years old.  This post is dedicated to my kids who not only walked the whole day but happily put on their boots the next morning as well, thank you, I love you.

Breakfast - time to leave Montferrand for Monpazier

Breakfast – time to leave Montferrand for Monpazier

Snail love, turns out that love was in the air that day

Snail love, turns out that love was in the air that day

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11th century church, I think this was my favorite, I'll take it over Notre Dame anyday

11th century church, I think this was my favorite, I’ll take it over Notre Dame any day

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We spied this place for a mid-morning break, also to fill water bottles (walking tip: turns out cemeteries almost always have water)

We spied this place for a mid-morning break, also to fill water bottles (walking tip: turns out cemeteries almost always have water)

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Family pic

Family pic

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Lunch break, our hosts from Lou Peyrol packed us sandwiches for the day, which we happily devoured sitting outside this castle wall.

Lunch break, our hosts from Lou Peyrol packed us sandwiches for the day, which we happily devoured sitting outside this castle wall.

Here's what the locals were offering, this was the only restaurant in town.

Here’s what the locals were offering, this was the only restaurant in town.

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Two deer running straight for us

Two deer running straight for us

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The moment we realize we are 20 km away, it's a hard moment, no one even cares about  Chateaux Bannes in the background.

The moment we realize we are 20 km away, it’s a hard moment, no one even cares about Chateaux Bannes in the background.

While we wait for our hotel to send a rescue car  our way (miraculous), my daughter adopts several snails.  (choosing snails over the chateaux, that's my girl)

While we wait for our hotel to send a rescue car our way (miraculous), my daughter adopts several snails. (choosing snails over the chateaux, that’s my girl)

 

The feeling of sitting after walking for 9 hours.

The feeling of sitting after walking for 9 hours.

Our hotel, Edward 1er

Our hotel, Edward 1er

 

If you squint you can make out our muddy footprints we left on the stairs (I still feel bad about that)

You can almost make out our muddy footprints

 

Monpazier and this surrounding area of France is very "English" in style...and sort of Disneyland-y.

Monpazier and this surrounding area of France is very “English” in style…and sort of Disneyland-y.

 

Goodnight Monpazier.

Goodnight Monpazier.

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Adventures in France-Land, Walking IV

Packed up lunch for our walk from Belves to Montferrand

Packed up lunch for our walk from Belves to Montferrand

Lock the gite and we are on our way

Lock the gite and we are on our way

Find the mark and start walking - we have an easy day planned, only about 5 hours of walking.

Find the mark and start walking – we have an easy day planned, only about 5 hours of walking.

Many have asked my "favorite thing I saw" - this is it, a caravan of caterpillars

Many have asked my “favorite thing I saw” – this is it, a caravan of caterpillars

The caterpillar string was about 15 feet long, I've never seen anything like it before

The caterpillar string was about 15 feet long, I’ve never seen anything like it before

This did not make me happy.  The kids thought it was hilarious.

This did not make me happy. The kids thought it was hilarious.

Notice the elevation, the mornings typically began with a steep climb.

Notice the elevation, the mornings typically began with a steep climb.

We saw lots of happy, beautiful animals on this path.....thankfully no boars!

We saw lots of happy, beautiful animals on this path…..thankfully no boars!

Can you see my happy kid?

Can you see my happy kid?

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Our home for the evening. Our wonderful host Thierry, greeted us, made us cafe and chocolate chaud.

Our home for the evening. Our wonderful host Thierry, greeted us, made us cafe and chocolate chaud.

Montferrand is very small, it might have been my favorite town.  The buildings are very old, very quaint and everyone was very kind.

Montferrand is very small, it might have been my favorite town. The buildings are very old, very quaint and everyone was very kind.

Our neighbor.

Our neighbor.

Charting the course for the next days of walking.

Charting the course for the next days of walking.

At Lou Peyrol, Thierry  cooks our dinner, his wife  serves us, we eat until we are stuffed talking with the kids the whole time.  It was a magical night.  Goodnight Montferrand.

At Lou Peyrol, Thierry cooks our dinner, his wife serves us, we eat until we are stuffed talking with the kids the whole time. It was a magical night. Goodnight Montferrand.