The Team
Long hikes like these require teamwork to deal with all the tasks concerning reception, stewardship, transport, and guiding.
The Ferme d’En Gout has already organized this hike several times and we have learnt from experience how best to divide up the roles between the three main players: the Guide, the Steward and the Carrier.
THE STEWARD: LUX
The Steward, cook and driver of our team is the irreplaceable Scar.
After advanced studies at one of Toulouse’s leading Political Science schools, Scar decided to exercise his talents … in the kitchen. After acquiring a professional qualification in Cooking and Hygiene, he started Martin Persil, a vegetarian, vegan and militant catering company. Currently working as a chef in a restaurant in Toulouse, he leaves his ovens behind to join our hikes.
Since he’s used to catering for 300 people, it’s like a holiday for him to cook for a dozen hikers, even famished ones, and to concoct tasty dishes. Lux acquires fresh produce every day from local farmers (mostly organic) and prepares superb vegetable salads, an original recipe for the main dish, and unfamiliar treats and desserts.
What’s more, he’s always pleased to explain his recipes to interested cooks after each meal.
While we are hiking, he also transports the luggage from one hostel (or gîte) to the next. He can also come and pick up a hiker who’s had enough for the day, at a pre-determined rendezvous on the day’s route. In the morning, he can also transport late starters or anyone wanting to shorten their hike, to join the rest of the group after the first 5 to 7 kilometres.
Whether early-risers or night-birds, LUX is there to help everyone enjoy the hike!
THE CARRIER: GEPETTO
Gepetto is a gelded Pyrenean donkey. He arrived at the Ferme d’En Gout about ten years ago and soon became a favourite because of his willingness to work and his deep regard for humans – and for Florence in particular.
He became “head donkey”, that is to say the one you rely on in difficult situations: working in towns or in noisy environments, working with the disabled, working at festivals and other events, and especially long-distance hiking, where he gets to show off all his skill.
You will see him prudently fording streams, carefully crossing rickety bridges, climbing stairs (which is not at all easy for a donkey!) and transporting your picnic and drinks for the midday meal every day, as well as the first-aid kit, a few books, and so on.
He’s patient and very friendly, and will follow whoever wants to hold his lanyard and lead him for a few miles during the hike, and always strikes up a beautiful relationship with the person who brings him his feed in the morning!
THE GUIDE: FLORENCE
It can be difficult to talk about yourself fairly and honestly!
My parents were passionate hikers, so I got a taste for long walks very young, and built up considerable stamina. It is probably this legacy that gave me the motivation and the strength to follow the pilgrims way (Camino) all the way to Santiago de Compostela, twice, alone, and in all weathers.
As an Agricultural Engineer I have made a deep and “scientific” study of plants, soils and rocks (in more learned terms: botany, plant physiology, soil science, and geology). I have supplemented these studies with a great deal of reading and personal research, in this rapidly evolving area that I find so fascinating. I also taught for 15 years in an agricultural college.
I come (through no fault of mine) from a long line of Healers, and learnt the traditional uses of plants in my native region, and also how to prepare them. I revived this knowledge many years later, after having studied geobiology and energy medicine, which I now practice professionally.
When we first settled at the Ferme d’En Gout as a couple, I worked mostly at the creation of tourist activities (hiking with a horse-drawn caravan or with donkeys – find out more at www.roulottes-engout.com), and welcoming visitors to the farm. The botanical walks came later, at the request of customers who had seen me gather and prepare the plants for the family and the livestock. They first took the form of weekends starting at the farm, but soon turned into long hikes, in very different types of countryside, providing an authentic immersion in the world of plants.
These hikes are a way for me to combine my favourite mode of travel, walking, and my passion for plants. I really enjoy organising and managing these walks “far from the madding crowd”, only sorry that the days are too short to tell you everything I’d like to about all these plants!