Day 3 St Pierre des Champs to Villerouge-Termenès
Today we climbed 400m over 8k. The climbing was gradual and when we tucked in tightly, shaded. It was warm today which made the shade & wind particularly welcomed. Some gravely sections, some single track sections, and downhills that were a bit technical.
Up we walked and the tiny town where we started quickly became a patchwork. Turning away from the town, we descended into scrub brush with long stretching vistas. Turning again we had a steeper climb in full exposure…best just to push upwards. The reward at the summit were views of the mountains toward the lower Pyrenees. Life is good and I can’t believe that I’m lucky enough to be here and doing this.
We continue further mostly on a single tracking, alternating between climbing and descending. After passing a Shepard’s church, we descend into Villerouge-Termenès.
Here we have our lunch before touring Château de Villerouge-Termenès, built between the 12th and 14th century. It was in this village in 1321 that Guilhem Belibaste (last known bon homme) fell into the hands of the inquisition, tricked and burned alive.
We are staying our final night in this amazing place. On our terrace author Steve Cracknell came to speak to us. His book _If You Only Walk Long Enough_ tells his adventures walking the Pyrenees from the west coast of France to the east coast.
