Got up and started at 0545 am. No choice. Either that or melt. Arrived at Le Veaurdre at 1300. Temp 37 C. Had a difficult time trying to pronounce that when asking for directions in my shattered French. Also stopped a few times for my new found favourite drink – Orangina. I think I had about 3 of them. Also stopped and had lunch in an ancient graveyard. It was the coolest place in town. While munching away on my pate and brown bread I thought I heard some laughter. Were these ancient pilgrims laughing at me? I thought. I gave my head a shake. Then again, I really thought I heard someone say in my unconcious mind:
”Come to France” they said,
”Go for a walk” they said,
”You,ll love it” they said. “Just like us” they said. “ And we,re dead”they said.
Thinking about these ancient pilgrims got me to thinking about the French Revolution and how it started. I have a theory about that. Back in 1788, the church authourities urged all of the pilgrims of the day to walk to Santiago in Spain – all 1700 km. So off they went and when they got there after much personal sacrifice and hardship they found this:
They were not amused. They headed back to Paris and the rest as they say is history.
Arrived at the Allier River in Le Veaurdre and could not resist. I went down and jumped in. The water was warm but refreshing, waist deep with a bit of a current. I sat there for about an hour in that stream and could feel the hot embers that made up my blood suddenly cool. I was content and refreshed. Found my campsite – it was closed – and proceeded to fall asleep under an ancient oak tree. Wonderful. Right now I am sitting having a meal in the only place in town that is open.
All of these closures reminds me of when my wife and I did the Route 66 road trip. The ghost town trip from Santa Monica to Chicago. Everything was boarded up. Earie. If this part of France isn,t careful the same outcome could occur here.
This song was a favourite of my wife and I. We stood on that corner in Winslow Arizona.
https://youtu.be/mSScV6Rt_6s
Those pilgrims in the cemetery liked it so much they stayed! Don’t be one! Heat here is 33 today, so it is hot! I went swimming then Dave and I tried out the new Tim Horton’s on the highway….very nice, yet all trainees and no chilli! The kids have to start somewhere…..Your trip sounds fantastic, John! You are really getting to see a lot of countryside and France can be beautiful. Yet I heard that they do all close up shop in Aug, and head to the coast where it is cooler. What an experience you are having meeting all these people, keep having fun…. Had my girlfriend from the interior here for a week, so that was totally fun for me. We did the sandcastles in Parksville, tubing down Lake Cowichan River, went up to Courtenay and visited a Cowboy shooting range, actually a friend of mine and his wife, run it, and built it, so very interesting. We got a private tour! Val is totally into Cowboy shooting! Long week-end Jillian came over to the island, so really nice to have all the family together. She is a whirlwind when she comes, lot to do for the wedding and all her projects! Dave and I are exhausted when she leaves…..don’t tell her this! We really do love her! Wedding is only a month away….take care of yourself, drink lot of fluids, and keep smiling….nothing is going on here, so totally enjoy yourself. Cheers Lynne
Glad to hear you are doing well!!!!! Today we visited the whites, manotick mill, the huddleons. Mr. White has been following along with your adventures. We are having a great time in Ottawa. Everyone says hi dad and they are thinking of you. Love Jeannie and Titus.