Monday - walking from Super Lioran to Valuejols

Today was, very wisely, shorter than in the original plan. But it was a very nice walk through delightful wooded farmland, preceded by a taxi ride and finishing in an unexpected hotel.

 

The table below gives some statistics for the day gleaned from the GPS and the map. The map gives the starting and finishing elevations and the GPS the rest.

 

Statistics for the day Distance walked 11.40miles Total time 4 hours 30 minutes Moving time 3 hours 53 minutes  Stopped time 0 hours 37 minutes  Moving average 2.9 mph Overall average 2.5 mph Starting elevation 1241 m  End elevation 1160 m Total ascent 439 m  Maximum elevation 1420 m

 

 

My illustrated diary for the day - Thursday 7th June 2007

 

Today was a good day. Unlike yesterday which got worse as it went on (steeper, wetter) this got better. We had the steep bit first and then it was downhill all the way.

But to start at the beginning. Breakfast was the usual croissant, bread and coffee, but it was quite good. My bill was €92.60 - the cost of a luxury establishment! The man at reception rang for a taxi and it turned up toute suite. The driver was a young guy who took me very quickly to Ste. Eulalie and charged me €33.60. The only cash I had were €50 notes, so he was going to give me 2 x €10 but I made him keep €10.

Here is the route taken by the taxi

 

Firewood in Ste. Eulalie. This is where I was dropped by the taxi	The path to Grandrieu	A rather nice tree
The walker watched	The scenery was unspectacular but nice	A cow in the Lozere
On the GR4, deep in the woods	Lozere Landscape	Inquisitive calves

I started walking at 9:20 and it was a nice walk. We started with a brisk ascent on decent paths which got us to just over 1400 metres and there was little ascent after that. Much of the way was on good paths so I was able to keep good time. The scenery was pleasant but unspectacular. The weather became sunnier as we went on and I had to put on some suntan and get out the shades.

A cow in the Lozere, enjoying the vegetation	Approaching St Paul le Froid	The church of St Paul le Froid
Wild flower meadow, Lozere	Giant Plagioclases in the Lozere granite	Things to do on a walk
Colourful grasses	Village Hotel - reservation, what reservation?	View from my hotel room, Grandrieu

I got to Grandrieu at 1:50 and the Hotel Mournet denied all knowledge of me. So I went next door to another failing hotel, but this one showed some signs of life. So here I am at the Hotel Laures. I have rested, showered and seen Grandrieu - not a lot to see! I went down to supper, which I shared with the hotelier and his mother. They produced a good meal - soup, mushroom omelette, pork and artichokes and cheese.

 

The Route

 

Here is the vertical section of the route

 

 

 

 

Here is a larger view of Thursdays route with some of the photos taken en route, at the spot they were taken. Click on the photo and see a larger version of the picture.