In the evening before retiring to our respective beds, we discuss what's in store for the next day in terms of distance, elevation gain and potential time. Last night as I was looking at the programme for today I pointed out that we were going to be doing around 14km (our normal is around 22-24Km), which would be a short 3.5 hour hike. I was already planning a lie in and a leisurely breakfast for a late departure, around 10AM for example. Alas, it was not to be! Having studied the map, Felicity saw that instead of leaving immediately, we could do an extra 10km loop to the Abbaye de Notre Dames des Neiges as a warm-up before our actual hike. Well, you can imagine how delighted I was by this alternative plan. Although I made my feelings clear, it rapidly became apparent that when Felicity has decided something, it's not up for debate. I'm afraid that, much like the world, this hike is evolving from a liberal stroll to an authoritarian march. The only concession I managed to obtain is that we could leave our bags at our apartment since we were doing a loop.
Back in 1879, Robert Louis stayed for a few nights at the Abbey, which at the time was a Trappist monastery. The Abbey was home to Trappist monks until 2022, when their number had dwindled to 12, and they decided they could no longer keep it running. Once the Trappists had left, the Ecclesiastical powers, allowed an order of Cistercian nuns to take it over. Interestingly, the Cistercians sent only 8 nuns to do the job, which had been too demanding for the last 12 priests. Here is yet another example of men (well priests) being disposed of their rightful place by woke women (well nuns).
After our improvised loop, we got back on track and hiked up 200m to then walk along forested hill crests to our next destination. As we walked through the tress, we could hear the thumping sound of wind turbines, reminding us we are in the 21st century.
