Église Saint-Nicholas, Orsiéres

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According to my Via Francigena guidebook, the church of St Nicholas in Orsiéres dates to between the 11th and the 13th centuries. I assume this means that the job was completed 200 years after it was begun, which is simply ludicrous to the modern mind. http://flic.kr/p/pp9Ecb

A proper breakfast

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When they told me on check-in that the cost of the room included “petit dejeuner,” I inwardly rolled my eyes. My experience so far has been that these may be technically a breaking of the night fast, they are hardly sufficient to keep a pilgrim walking all day. This morning I was pleasantly surprised! Just look at that coffee pot – I got three cups out of it. 🙂 http://flic.kr/p/poRtsw

Aaaaah, Orsiéres!

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Not much of an update today. These things take time to compose, and I got into town late after a very gruelling day.‎ Once I found a hotel and checked in, my very first priority was a long hot shower. Second priority was WiFi, and nourishment was a distant third.
My room in the Hotel Union in Orsiéres came with a set of those delightfully decadent feather comforters I first encountered while enjoying the hospitality of the Augustinians in Martigny. I won’t have any difficulty falling asleep tonight!
I checked the forecast for the next few days, and if my feet are still feeling good in the morning, I’ll be heading for Bourg Saint-Pierre tomorrow. That’s only a 13 km hike, but the change in elevation is pretty extreme. I think I’m finally going to need my merino wool garments!

Pilgrim-friendly

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After completing the first stage of my walk today, which had me clambering along narrow cliffside paths, I stopped for a break in Madame’s café. After she heard what I was doing, she refused payment. Sometimes it’s the little things that really count. http://flic.kr/p/povWxH