Via Podiensis Day 11 - Conques to Decazeville


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Via Podiensis

Day 11 Conques to Decazeville

26th April 2015

Distance Time Elevation in meters

Km Elapsed
Hrs-Mins Moving
Hrs-Mins Gain Loss Min Max

21.17 6H14 5H33 751 808 210 582

Leaving the center of Conques, you first tackle a steep downhill section as far as the medieval bridge crossing the Dourdou, followed by a steep climb the other side. In fact the 14 km of the day involve a lot of climbing, with some intermediate descents. The last 7 km is basically the descent towards Decazeville. Decazeville itself seems to stretch over 10 miles; you first catch sight of it and think that you are nearly there, but it goes on an on and is quite tiring! Eventually you come to a signboard directing you to the center of the town. I was quite tired as I arrived and my heel was playing up. I soon spotted Hotel Malpel by the church, and as it was about 2-30 p.m. I was looking forward to getting to my room and having a shower. Hotel Malpel looks as though it is on Hollywood Boulevard as you approach, with its classy awnings. You almost expect to see valet parking. However at 2-30 p.m. on a Sunday it was dead; in fact I first thought that the hotel had closed and had gone out of business. I tried using the intercom to no avail, so wandered around Decazeville looking for a bar or a coffee shop. The place was dead, and the only place I could find open was a Betting Shop come bar. The owner tried phoning Hotel Malpel for me, but with no success. I sat there for 3 hours, during which time I was joined by two other pilgrims who could not get into their hotel either. At 5-30 p.m. I walked around to the Hotel Malpel, but it was still closed. I decided to phone myself, and got through to a lady who said that she would be there in 10 minutes. I was soon inside, and on a white-board was written..... "Mr. Piper - Room 12". There is a keypad on the outside of the hotel and if you know the code you can gain entry. The code is on the back of your key (not much use if you have not already accessed your room) and the lady had not emailed me to give me a code for entry. Not to worry, I was in! The interior of the Malpel did not live up to its exterior "Hollywood" appearance, and my room reeked of cigarettes. I went down about 7 p.m. to have dinner, and two English ladies, Heather and Freda were just going into the dining room. They had pre-ordered dinner. The lady was quite insistent as I went in.... "Non-manger, Non-manger". As I had not pre-ordered dinner there was nothing at all for me..... not even a bag of crisps or a bowl of olives! I had two beers and watched enviously as the two ladies enjoyed their dinner. In fairness to them, they did offer to give me some, but I did not feel as though I could accept. I said that I thought there was a Pizza place around the corner, but they said that was also closed. Decazeville is not a place I want to revisit in a hurry!