The Second Leg

Tight on time, here goes leg two as a list of facts not impressions... A bright sunny morn as Ackers & I met on Dartmouth Park Hill. Managed to forget my phone - cut it fine with a taxi delivery to Eurostar. Mat Malpas at Austerlitz, meanwhile Bency was having dramas to equal, if not exceed, those of the forgotten phone. Musical chairs on the train to Brive-la-Gaillard. Small local train to Figeac. Met Bency at Les Pratges. Ate pigs trotters at Le Patio. I roomed with Malpas double bed - bolster down the middle - styles. Keen and eager pilgrims ready to roll...

Swift

Tiny aeronauts in black and white

perform parabolas in flight

scoop their fill of gossamer wings

that cloud oblivious, numberless things.

Over rivers, mostly can be seen

high speed channel-skimming feats between

the banks and bridges, earth and sky,

the air made loose in which to fly.

But memory swoops as fast and free

and straight a thought returns to me:

a rock-strong refuge from the blast

where welcome peace, long years had passed;

a chance to mend and spirits lift,

when through the open doors, a swift

came flying in to find his rest,

and so were we, two pilgrims, blessed.

Estaing, June 2011

Shepherd's Prayer

Oh Lord,

When I've climbed up from the great gorge into the sun

and when my flock find bright yellow flower fields

where skylarks hang high above

and sing for joy from a web of air,

May the top of the hill come close

and the shaded road with plunging dam and wooded slopes

be kind beneath my weary feet.

And when the clifftop chapel's reached

and my woolly charges loosed to roam,

I'll find peaceful order still

Whilst outside,

let gushing winds and perilous cliffs and overhanging bluffs

give thanks with me

As I kneel in darkened candle dim

and ask these things of Thee.

Amen

Wild and Windy Aubrac

Conques to Figeac

Estaing to Conques

Nasbinals to Estaing

PG:
As if Nasbinals was not desolate enough, the road took us up to wild and windy Aubrac. Austere, grey and unforgiving when we were there. As we sheltered in the church we were not alone. Birds flew in to shelter too.



PG:
Lunch in Espalion.