Today would have been a cakewalk if poor Steve’s feet were in decent shape. Instead, we walked across the street to the Pharmacie after breakfast and did a job on Steve’s feet with Second Skin, tape and Compeed. Back to Hotel La Grande Halte where woman in charge instructed us in half French/half English how to buy train tickets (billets) from the automatique ticket dispenser at the station. Left the bags for Transbaggage and walked over to the train station three blocks away from the hotel. Suddenly, a car zoomed up and the Hotel woman-in-charge got out of her car. She left the hotel and drove over to help us use the ticket machine and explain to the Station Master that we needed to get off at Chausserades, a request only stop. Can you believe it? So far above and beyond the call of duty.

One way tickets for 2.40 Euros, goodbye and profuse thanks to her and we waited. And waited. And waited. While sitting there, the three people from Lyon and Le Puy en Velay entered the station on their way home. They only walked a five-day portion of the route and will pick up where they left off another time. He went into the train station, spoke to the Station Master and came to tell us that a train sitting on Track 3 was our train. Either we look very helpless…or very stupid and I certainly hope it’s the former!

beautiful old house in the area of La Bastide Puy Laurent, France
On the train with seven other people, the train sat and sat for ages. The train engineer left his cab, walked along the train car and explained in English and French that there is no controlleur (conductor) on the line. Engineer and Station Master start making phone calls, gesturing and holding conversations. A return to the train where nine of us are still sitting to say that the train can’t go without a controlleur and that instead, a taxi would take us all to Chausserades and Mende paid for by the SNCF. Perfectly fine with us. Better than fine because the taxi would drop us off at the Hotel. A mini-van pulled up, everyone piled in and the van dropped us off at the front door of tonight’s hotel, Hotel Des Sources.

Hotel Des Sources, Chasserades, France 

Today’s walk would have been less than three hours and it’s amazing how one’s perspective changes. Anything less than a 5-6 hour walk seems short.

Hotel Des Sources restaurant, Chasserades, France
On September 27, 1878, Robert Louis Stevenson shared a room in the old inn located in the center of Chasserades. This entire area is considered one of the most picturesque in France with old paths used since the time of the Crusaders. The small village is surrounded by meadows and woods and it’s very quiet and tranquil here. When we came down for dinner, there were some of our new friends from Le Cheylard d’Eveque finishing up their section of the RLS Trail. Drinks together and then dinner. Vegetable soup, pate, duck leg with delicious roasted potatoes, cheese platter and an ice cream parfait with different berries and meringue on top.

drink with new friends at Hotel Des Sources, Chasserades, France 

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