Via Francigena with Liam

Today was our first day of rest. We have walked 22 days now, with no rest for the last 19. Our feet and legs are aching. A lot.

I need to replace my shoes. They are the correct size for regular hikes, but not for day after day use. I need more space in the toe box, especially for hills. My feet have swollen and I would like to buy another pair that’s 1/2 size bigger than these. Unfortunately, everything is closed tomorrow for their National Swiss Day (or something like that) and the Decathlon I was aiming for will be closed. I hope I can replace them somehow in the next 2-3 days, before the bad hills.

Most of the day was spent lying or sitting down. We did visit the cathedral, and Liam found a replacement for his lost hat. And I had my hair done. That was a relief, because after a couple weeks on the road my hair was grubby.

I am going to come out and say it: I don’t like Lausanne. In France the roads were in perfect condition, the people were welcoming and, most noteworthy, it was pristine. No trash on the paths, no graffitti, the housed showed pride of ownership. We cross the border, and the roads were a little rougher, the people are a little less welcoming, the city is dirty and gray and uninteresting, and there is trash. I know people love Lausanne, and it is, in terms of geography, a good resting place, but I would not expend time, effort or money to return here.

Tomorrow we will head to Montreux.Read more