Oct 18, Day 12: Figeac to Lacapelle-Marival (25.4 km)

Susan carrying breakfast croissants.

We were very well rested after our day off in Figeac.  We took advantage of our room for two nights and we slept in and napped and relaxed.  I enjoyed walking around town without a pack on my back.  This morning we were ready to begin walking again.  We decided against breakfast at the hotel and so we had a quick coffee, and bought croissants and a baguette on the way out of town.

Ah, the red poncho!

It was overcast and rainy in the morning.  We put on the red ponchos.  I had complained about the ponchos when we first bought them, but I was grateful for them now.  Not only did the the ponchos keep the rain off us and the packs, but they also provided an extra layer of warmth against the cold wind.

There are three hiking routes out of Figeac and we were walking towards Rocamadour along the GR6.  Most people continue along the GR65 and so that is where most of the hikers can be found.  Sure enough, on our way out of town towards the GR6, someone thought we were on the wrong path and directed us towards the GR65.

We walked along country paths and roads and given that it was Sunday there were people out jogging and walking dogs.  We were glad that the profile had flattened out a little bit because my left hamstring and butt muscles were really sore and René had a sore ligament in his foot.  On the other hand our packs were heavier because we were carrying supper picnic food as it was Sunday and nothing would be open in the town where we were going to end up.

Delicious hot pizza.

Our lunch goal was Cardaillac because we knew that there was a weekly market and a small restaurant.  We arrived late morning and had a quick tour through the medieval garden, then past the pizza truck, the small restaurant and through the medieval part of town.  Cardaillac had been voted one of "Les plus beaux villages de France".

We realized that pizza would be our best bet even though it was still drizzling.  We ordered the Payasanne with lardons, an egg, cheese and onions.  While it was cooking the pizza guy gave us a bit of history of the hamlet and introduced us to the locals who were placing orders.  We learned that the market had dwindled and now he was one of only two trucks who installed weekly.  We found a bench with a little shelter from the rain.  The pizza was delicious and hot.

René walking ahead.

It drizzled a little in the afternoon.

Susan's quick cat nap.

Along the way on our journey we made a point of stopping in at each of the churches and chapels.  We found most doors open, and all empty.  I had not intended to be improper in a church, but I think I slept a little as I laid back on the chairs.  I was tired, and maybe it was the pizza...

The afternoon we had some dog encounters, mostly with farm dogs, and nothing serious but stressful for us.

Lacapelle-Marival

Arrival in Lacapelle-Marival and checked into the Hostellerie La Terrasse.  We found out that we were the only ones staying at the hotel and all restaurants were closed.  We wandered around town to check out the options for breakfast in the morning and found the boulangerie, the small grocery, and the bar.  We went back to the room to relax.