Because the hike was only 10 miles today, I took advantage of enjoying the Le Coucou’s indoors and outdoors. So comfortable. I included an image of the fountain that gave off such a tranquil sound during my stay.
Alas, I left Le CouCou at 9:45. I went uphill to view the tower that once helped protect this village. I passed a boîte en livres on my way out of town and then looked back on how Montcuq was situated on a hilltop. A good defensive position given its history with wars.
The countryside on this stage was more varied than yesterday. Besides sunflowers, the area has several lavender fields awaiting for next spring.
A few kms down the road, I was taken by the simplicity of a small church that I passed. A minimalist interior and the exterior walls formed some interesting site lines.
Moving forward, I wanted to show a GR-65 blaze showing a go left instruction to cross the road and go along a field. Within a 100 meters, I passed a bridge with no water flowing underneath attesting to drought in this region. During storms and heavy rains, hikers will most likely have to walk across the bridge.
The landscape provided color and texture. A flock of sheep chewed their way across a field.
After cresting one hill to leave a valley, an unexpected sign appeared. The arrow pointed downward and alerted me to the steep slope and the handrail next to it. Rarely are handrails on a trail. Even though I grabbed onto the handrail, I slipped and fell on the loose stones. No damage but a good reminder to be careful.
About 1:45PM, my destination appeared. Another hill town. In another 30 minutes, I was seated in the town square enjoying my 50cl of Chouffe beer.
The hike was just over 10 miles with 1600 feet of elevation gain. The trail was composed of paved road, smooth dirt path, rocky roads, short steep climbs and long gradual ones. Exactly the kind of conditions found on the Trexler Outer Loop — my favorite training trail.
On my way to the town square, I had to pass my gîte because the office did not open until 3PM which seems to be the general practice in France for places other than a city hotel.
My hotel room had a beautiful panorama of the valley. Dinner was served promptly at 7PM and comprised of cold courgette (zucchini) soup, lasagna, and an apple crisp. The dining room was filled with happy and contented hikers. All was well.
Everyone had settled down by 9PM. We were resting for the 20 miler to Moissac.
