Today I opted for the long route – 57k. The good news is that we got a break from the heat. The other (not particularly bad) news is that the moment we set out from Les Eyzies it began to rain. And then pour. The 25k before lunch were comprised of stunning scenery and seriously torrential, absolutely laughable rain. Rain so hard that I was wishing for windshield wipers on my glasses. It was great, and felt delightful after so much heat. Since it was raining we didn’t stop in “Parc Prehistoric,” (we are in cro-magnon territory) but we did see a dinosaur on the way.
As we arrived in Montignac, the rain stopped, leaving us to do the hilly portion of our route in sunshine. Our route sheet made it sound like the last 15k were going to be some sort of hill torture, but fueled by a perfectly ripe peach and a few French pringles (my secret hill snack, only in foreign countries), they weren’t too dreadful.
After a day of rain and sweat, I was filthy – wait till you see the picture I took of the laundry water. Blech.
In Sarlat, our home for tonight and tomorrow, we were wandering around the old town looking for a dinner spot when, on a goof, I whipped out my Blackberry and googled “Michelin star restaurant Sarlat.” Lo and behold, up came Le Grand Blue. Full recap on that (as best as I can) later – too exhausted and sore now, and have to rest up for tomorrow! I