After leaving the Alberge in Le Sauvage, I began to feel the familiar excitement of being on the trail and, for the first time, confident about our ability to do this walk and find joy along the way. I don’t think I have ever felt uneasy about a walkabout, but I did this time. I found myself grappling with doubts, which led to a brief contemplation of halting our walk. I was worried about Tom’s health and recent medical procedures, which had stopped his training and preparation for this trip, and I wondered if this was too strenuous for his first walk.
Each day presents its challenges, from the physical strain of walking long distances and the terrain of the trail to the unpredictability of the weather. The need to secure accommodation every few days added a layer of complexity we had not experienced before. The combination of these components caused me some angst. However, after we departed Le Sauvage, I emerged with newfound confidence. I’m not sure what it was exactly, but I was walking again, full of the joy I find with these pilgrimages; my sense of adventure was returning. And for this, I was grateful. Thank you God.
As we walked into Saint-Alban-Sur-Limagnole on a quiet Sunday afternoon, we found only one place open—our haven for the night. After checking in, we savored a glass of wine and basked in the sunshine. Soon, the clouds would roll in, only adding to the tranquility of the moment. This was yet another beautiful village on our journey.
Our evening was further enriched by a delightful encounter with Stephanie, whose 44th birthday we celebrated over dinner. It was a brief meeting, but it was filled with joy and laughter. This is the beauty of these journeys—the unexpected connections and the memories they create, adding to the uniqueness of the pilgrimage.
I am deeply thankful for this pivotal moment. I have longed for this time and did not want to miss any of it. This season for us to enjoy this kind of travel is short, and I do not want to waste any of it. Our struggles and challenges have enriched our journey in ways I could never have imagined.
Bon Chemin. You are loved.
Tom and Nancy’s Journeys 