Chavanges 15 miles

There are days like today when writing this diary is not easy. It was just another day in the life of a pilgrim which is probably a lot more limited and routine than the life of all those reading this. I got up. Didn’t have breakfast (because none was available). Started walking. It rained a bit as it has almost every day so far. It was sunny for a bit as it has almost every day so far. Some of it was muddy etc, on roads etc, through fields etc. you get the picture.

The only remote thing of interest I passed all day was a 16th Century half-timbered church which claims to be the largest such church in the Champagne region. Mmm.

Staying tonight in another chambre d’hote place. I do find these a little strange. A sort of bed and breakfast cum Airbnb. Sometimes they are just a simple room, usually en-suite, in the host’s house and other times a large apartment with full kitchen, dining room and living room but in the latter case there might well be other families occupying the apartment as well. Tonight was the simple room and I had been able to arrange an evening meal. But of course I had no idea what this meal might consist of. Was given a very small quiche with a wee bit of salad and some bread. Was that it? No other cutlery. Would have been rude to ask even if my schoolboy French let me. Turned out it was a starter and the main was a dod of meat and some mashed mixed veg. A lot nicer than it looked.

All finished and back in my room. Get this written and teeth done and off to bed by 9pm. Another day done.

Beyond my writing skills to make it any more exciting than that. Very sorry. We have all got a long way still to go!Read more