Saturday - getting to Super Lioran

Today was a day of travel. We drove from Bristol to Exeter Airport. I flew to Paris and by means of the RER network got to the Gare du Nord. Train to Clermont Ferrand, then local train to Le Lioran. And finally walked up the hill to Super Lioran.

Except for the last part it was not very active, but it was tiring none the less. All the arrangements worked well. Although I suspect the Hotel le Rocher du Cerf were not expecting me.

My diary for the day - Saturday 2nd June 2007

We set off at 3:25! - even with not very much to do, it still takes 40 minutes to set off. 83 minutes later at 4:48 got to Exeter airport. The M5 was empty and the only difficulty was some fog on the Somerset Levels.

Checked in - rucksack weighs 11.2 kg. The camera case is 3 or 4 kilos extra, so I will be travelling pretty light. Had a coffee, said goodbye to Chris and am now in the departure lounge awaiting the call.

Took off at 6:45 - 45 minutes late.

Landed about 9 and got my rucksack pretty quick and, despite the dreadful signage, managed to get the RER into Paris. I arrived at the Gare du Lyon about 10:30, got some water and a pain au raisin and a seat and I am presently waiting on my train. The early morning clouds are clearing and it threatens to be sunny.

On the train at Nevers. We left Paris on time and have been going at about 90mph to get here. The weather has got a lot cloudier but no sign of rain. Have started reading Enders Game - pretty good so far.

The train was 5 minutes late into Clermont Ferrand. The transfer to the local train was just across the platform. So that was very easy. Both trains were very comfortable and quite new. The one from Paris was almost full but the one to Le Lioran was almost empty.

It was cold and damp at Le Lioran when I got off the train and got even colder and damper on the walk up to Super Lioran. Thought of the telepherique are alive and thriving! The hotel is even more decrepit than it was in 1999. I had made a reservation by e-mail - and had got a reply, but they did not seem to know anything about it . But as the place was empty, getting a room was no problem.

After showering and unpacking, I texted Alasdair and phoned Chris. In the dining room I found an Englishman called John who is walking the GR4! He seems a pleasant chap - done a lot of walking. He is using the Alan Castle book I used in 1999. The meal was no choice but good - soup, chicken (coq au vin type) with auvergnat potatoes and salad. And a choice of sweet. Very abstemious with the wine! you need to beg it from the cook/waitress.

The Route

Here is a Google Map showing the route from Bristol to Super Lioran. The journey from Paris to Le Lioran is taken from my GPS. You can pan and zoom and change the format of the map.