Date: Wednesday, 7 May 2025
Day: 9
From: Golinhac To: Conques
Start Walking: 637am End Walking: 144pm
Time: 5h46m
Distance (Planned): 17km Distance (Garmin): 21.9km
Progress: 217.6/765km
Ascent: 441m Descent: 830m
Weather: Grey, cloudy and cool again.
Stayed At: Abbaye Sainte-Foy de Conques
General Comments:
• I am not sure whether this weather is unusual for this time of year (I must ask someone), but considering the start of Summer is only a few weeks away, I really wasn’t expecting it to be so cold. It’s no biggie as we have plenty of warm clothes and do prefer the cooler temperatures, it’s just different. Even the Spring blooms are feeling the cold and many of them are still curled up tight.
• Because it was such a grey day today, I tried to focus on the colourful blooms that decorate the side of the trail. Everyday I seem to be seeing new and different ones, and I just love all the bright colours. I can’t resist taking photos as it would be impossible for me to grow most of them at home. Don’t worry – I realise I am probably taking photos of weeds too, but a flower is a flower, in my book.
• There were lots of people out on the trail today and we were overtaken by most of them.😁Many French people finish walking in Conques, taking 5-10 days to get here and may return next year to pick up the trail again. They had a real spring in their step and I suspect there will be some celebrating going on tonight for them.
• It will be interesting to see how many people are about tomorrow as I understand the numbers start to dwindle significantly after Conques. Very few French people have holidays available to walk the whole thing in one hit, like us.
• A nice thing about today was that we met up again with walkers we first met 5 and 6 days ago. They are forming our little trail family and, even though we don’t walk every step together, it is nice when our paths cross.
• As well as a few French people, we are enjoying the company of a young Japanese woman (who speaks French fluently), multiple Quebecois, our young English friend and an even younger German woman. Yep, we are a walking United Nations. A true Camino spirit.
Top Tips:
• Consider taking an additional rest day in Conques. It is a gobsmackingly beautiful village and incredibly historic. The church was established in the 8th century and the architecture of the place is stunning.
• Also consider booking at the Abbaye. We have a private room with ensuite. Yes, it’s basic, but spotlessly clean.
Bon Chemin.
Life...one big adventure 
Keep up the good walking!
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Doin’ my best and loving every minute of it. Ta, Mel
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Sounds lovely, Mel, and quite laidback by your usual standards. Weatherwise, it’s been cooler here than normal, but I can’t speak for France. Meeting people along the way must be a big part of the experience xx
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I think meeting new people and having a good conversation in whatever blend/mix of languages is a true highlight of any Camino. The trail links us all together and I love that. Xx
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loving following your journey Mel. And all seems to be going well. Kxx
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Thanks, Kerry. Have you got your kilt on yet? Wishing you blue skies and tail winds, although nothing too strong to flip that kilt about! 🙃🤣 Take care, Melxx
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I totally agree with you, a flower is still a flower, and I love them all🥰
Stay warm! xx
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Bouquets to you!💐💐
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🤗🤗
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Have just caught up on your last 7 days of Blogs Mel! Stunning scenery and gorgeous photos. Glad to hear things are pretty well going to plan. Also good to hear that there is plenty of coffee and baguettes fueling you both along the way 🙂
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I am still learning how to order the correct coffee and have had some interesting results up to now! Especially for the Husband!🤣 And baguettes truly are the daily bread and I doubt I will touch any bread for 6 months after I get home. 🙃 xx
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Sadly the weather is very normal, I think in England last year we had 13 days of hot sunshine all year – so summer really means not a lot anymore. Hope it heats up a bit for you though 🙂
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Ta, a tad warmer today, although I am being picky as I don’t want it to be too warm when we are walking. Just call me Goldilocks!😅
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We always promised ourselves we would do at least part of one of the French caminos when we lived in France. Somehow we didn’t. But we HAVE been to Conques. You’ve revived my wish to follow a pilgrimage route!
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I so recommend it. It’s not ‘easy’ as such and you definitely earn your pastries, but Oh, the views!
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I’ve been to Conque!
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Of course you have, you Globetrotting, you! 😎🌍🗺
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I agree – a flower is a flower (weed or not)! I love your reference to the Camino United Nations – that’s how I remember it! When I saw your picture of the hot chocolate, I immediately knew what I was going to look for in the kitchen now – it’s bloody cold here in Cape Town!
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I have been dreaming of the really thick chocolate you can buy in Spain and dunk the cake sticks in. My brain is not working this late in the day so I can’t remember its proper name. 😳🙃
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Churros. Love them!! I have a photo of dunking churros in that thick chocolate – taken in Santiago. Best ever!
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That’s the word! My brain would simply not retrieve that word and kept giving me chorizo! You couldn’t get two more different tastes. 🤣
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🤣 … love them both!
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🤣🤣
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Thanks for the pics, makes me want to hike!
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Oh good! I’m happy to lead you astray!! 🙂
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