Day 5. Friday 12^th May 2017

We were down to breakfast at 0830hrs as agreed. Continental. Mike thought he could smell bacon. He was wrong.

Across the square there was a small Casino supermarket where some of us bought rations for today’s lunch. Mike, Jack and Jill bought quiche and “sandwiches” in the deli next door to the hotel.

Within a short thirty minutes we were at the car park at the foot of Puy du Pariou. 1209m. By 0930hrs we were walking. It was cloudy and there were rather threatening clouds rolling into the hills. Within the hour we were at the top on the caldera, bit of a climb up the last 300 meters or so. It was all wooden steps. None of which I felt would have met the prescribed European Directive for dimensions on wooden steps in High Country.

  

The start. Puy de Pariou in background.

The clouds had rolled away and we were afforded a most spectacular view in all directions. Seemingly not far away was Le Puy du Dome at 1465m. It is the most spectacular and oft visited Puy in the Chaine.  Instantly recognizable with its radio mast and transmitters. This is the walk we will take on tomorrow. It will be a steep climb up from the car park but an option is always the railway to the top. In reality, none of us will consider this or I suspect take it.

Nearing the rim of the Puy de Pariou.

Puy de Dome in the background.

Back on the caldera rim of Puy Pariou, we, well Mike, decided we would walk down to the bottom of the crater and see if we could find any hot rocks to place into our mugs of cold water to heat for our cuppa T. Alas, when arriving at the bottom, not only were we unable to find any but Tim thought he felt some rumbling beneath his feet. We beat a hasty retreat. On reaching the top we decided that we would return to the car park for our picnic lunch. The sun was well out and we made our way down a rather steep and slippy muddy path to the car park in the distance.

Tim, nearing the top. Last few steps.

Being only one picnic bench in the car park we commandeered this just as a coach load of French students arrived. Suzie decided they would probably ascend the route we had taken earlier this morning and was hoping and praying they were not headed to Le Puy du Goules which was our intended route this afternoon

We broke out the banjos and Tim and Mike flashed up their stoves for a brew. Mike nonchalantly tipping his mug over the picnic table just as it was coming to the boil. Typical. The mug is so unsteady on this burner but as the mug is an old “Friend” of many decades standing I am reluctant to take to the field without it!

Mike and Jackie on the caldera of Puy de Pariou.

1330hrs. We shouldered our bergans and started up to the Puy du Goules. This was a relatively shorter walk but slightly more demanding for the last 300 meters. There was a great view towards Clermont Ferrand in the valley. Home to Michelin Tyres. We walked the rim of the caldera and then retraced our steps down. Making a short detour to La Grotte du Sarcoui. Here we thought we might find Merlin and his friend Roger at the back of the cave but alas no. Peter seemed most disappointed!

Lunch.

We arrived back at Pontgibaud and parked in the square. Free parking!! We walked into the Casino store for a couple of bottles of port for the next few nights. We consumed most of one in our residents lounge last night and saw no reason why we would not tonight. Hence the purchase. Whilst Pete and Jill returned to the hotel to change boots we others made our way to Le Restaurant au Chasse and ordered beers.

Madam was much friendlier this afternoon, perhaps she recognized us as returning customers and was soon chatting amicably with Suzie. It was obvious to we other three, despite the language barrier, that she was giving Suzie her life history. She had been at one point the owner with her husband but now she had sold on the business and was seemingly an indispensable member of staff! Or so she would have us believe. Me? Being a rather base sort of guy would rather see a svelte young nubile thing selling me drinks. Every time she bent forward to pick up her tray upon which she had delivered the drinks Tim, in anticipation, would reach for his beer in an attempt at a wee swally but then she would straiten her back and launch forth into another episode and Tim would sit back glancing longingly at his drink.

Pete and Jill had arrived from the hotel and were our saviours. They were additional customers. They ordered a couple of Pelforth lagers and fortunately madam disappeared. “Do not continue this conversation when Madame reappears!” Mike instructed Suzie. Glancing across at Tim all one could see was a man desperate for a drink pouring his panache down his neck as quick as he could swallow in case Madam returned tout suite.

Returning to the hotel we shower and spend some time sorting out Jackie’s e mail account with our friends Google. They know we, or at least someone in France is trying to access Jackie’s e mail and once again have blocked her mail. Before we know it, it's almost 1830 hrs, the time agreed for drinks in the hotel bar.

Tonight, we are booked into La Chasse restaurant, where we had our afternoon drink, for some time twixt 1900/30hrs. Jackie and I privately have reservations about what we will encounter. In reality, we have no need of any concerns, the meal will be superb.

La Chasse Restaurant.

All six of us opt for the set 27E menu. For this we have choices per course. If I tell you I started with complimentary Kir avec peche, Salade St Jacques, lamb chops [four] with dauphinoise potatoes and mushrooms, followed by a huge cheese board of some six or seven regional cheeses, then a crème brulee. Why eat Tiramisu in France when you are offered CB? Washed down with a glass of champagne. All for £23. I here you shout “Mais non, Rodney!” It truly exceeded all expectations. As we rolled out of the restaurant for the short walk across the square to our hotel we all agreed that it had been a fantastic day. Peter suggested that there was a bottle of port that we might want to join with him in drinking but in truth we had had sufficient. We made our excuses and made our way to our chambre.

2150hrs. Return to La Hotel du Poste.