We didn’t order breakfast today because we have one objective only–sleep. This is why we choose to hike, little things, like a bed, are absolute luxuries. We did get to sleep in a bed just a few nights ago thanks to Suzy, but today, we could sleep as late as we wanted.
We got up just before 11 so we could start the laundry while we have some coffee for breakfast. As I was running some things back to the hotel, I ran into Martina and Richard at the shop where we had bought some pastries. They have an apartment in town just around the corner. They are a very nice slightly older couple than we are (retired).
A lot of people ask us if we are retired. When we say no, they ask if we’re rich. That always makes us laugh. Only two types of people do what we do–the extremely rich, and extremely poor. We have to camp because that’s all we can afford to do. Would it be nice to be able to afford to stay in a gite or refuge every night like the French do? Heck yes, but that’s out of our price range.
After we ate a little breakfast, we did the usual town chores with one exception, Pam made sure we got a 10# bag of ibuprofen–she is not going to run out again on this trip! We got enough food for 4 days of hiking because we are always afraid that a shop won’t be available when the guidebook says it will be. It’s only 3 days to the next alleged shop, but…
Now we had one more major task for the day (other than getting caught up on blogging)–lunch! I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I have never eaten so much pork in my life. There are two things I would like to have today and we found a place I can get them both: chicken & curry. When we were hiking with George (may he Rest In Peace), we couldn’t go to an Indian restaurant because of the gastronomic affect it had on him (and liability of anyone in an enclosed space with him). Surprisingly, curry is one of the few things that don’t affect me that way, but I usually drink water with the meal so it doesn’t matter.
We walked around town a bit before heading back to the hotel. Right in the middle of town is a fountain filled with natural hot water. Funny, when I had my place in southern Illiniois, Pam constantly complained about the sulfur smell in the water (a harmless bacteria) but it didn’t bother her while soaking her feet).
Being away from internet for 12 days makes for a lot of uploading. Even though we select pictures and write entries on a daily basis, it takes time (a lot of time) to upload and publish everything. We spent the rest of the day and well past midnight working on bringing the blog up to date for you (I’m guessing, Pete, Pam, and Dad) to read. We’ve also heard that an article was published about us in “573 Magazine” but we have yet to see it and only one person has mentioned it to us, so we are afraid of what it says. Anyone in SEMO that might see it, let us know how bad it is.
We did take time out to have supper in the hotel restaurant. It is a classy place so I felt out of place (pretty much like I do everywhere). One thing that’s happening that might stop a few criticisms of me is that no matter how you order your meat in France (well done, extra well done, or burnt) it’s always brought out med-rare. I’m learning to like the undercooked meat as long as I don’t look at it (and I have red wine to wash it down).
