Sabine was there to greet us and to drive us from Nimes to her plentiful old stone house near Florac. Her family have had this mountainside getaway for three generations so it is in her blood.
We met her and her friend on ‘the way’ in Italy. Corrie had a huge blister, and Sabine being a doctor saw it as her duty to care for her during our 2 week walk together in Italy. There was a wonderful connection especially between her and Corrie, so it was very special to spend nearly a week with her and friend Michel.
Walking through her home town was moving, as she pointed out familial landmarks. A narrow steep river flowed beneath us as its small bridge held our quietness. It was a sacred peace as all around us were specially planted tall trees. Each one held the name of a resistance fighter, the powerful trees reflecting their strength and determination.
The next day they drove us along the edge of a deep gorge to look down on a small village built into the cliff wall. It was beside a small stream that had momentarily stopped to form the Castlebouc village pool, before flowing once again on its way. It was then on around the gorge wall to medieval Saint Enimie and a slow stroll up and down its ancient streets made of many different rocks with a range of creative patterns.
A wet and chilly day, Michel made a log fire which we enjoyed for our remaining evening.
When the sun rose again, it was a long drive to Le Causse Mejear, one of many high and long plateaus in France. This one was the temporary home to Siberian horses who came here to foal because their homeland was too cold. Dotted with stones and boulders, coloured with fields of Poppies amongst purple and yellow flowers, it was a gorgeous drive. After a half hour, a tiny ancient village minded our car as a gentle walk beckoned. 3 hours along the top of this beautiful mountain range, the fromagerie awaited us. We ate our ham and cheese baguettes and it was time to sit back and watch the day walkers arrive in the mountains shadows. A huge rainstorm heralded the end of lunch and it was back home to our burning logs.
It was our time to cook after being spoilt all this time, but instead a chef was hired and it was our shout. L’Auberge Cevenole was our lunch place where the food made us re-think earlier poor experiences of French delicacies, while its location confirmed our good experiences.
It was a special four days which will be a treasure to us. The stories around the log fire; our quiet reflective walks; the hilarious times around the eating table; our village explorations; the cliff edge drives; and much more will stay with us.
Tomorrow we drive to Montpelier for our train to Belgium, as we transition on our way to see our Dutch friend for the last chapter before returning home.