A rebel without a clue.

The start of day three and I spy snow cover around. After many visits to the toilet - drank too much water during repase - I slept very well. I was a little cold in the room initially, but put the heating on a notch - sorry folks - and slept diagonal on a slightly shorter bed - being a bit too long is hindered by an end to the bed. What did humanity do prior to coffee, tea and hospitals... Life must've been so much a limiting factor in decrepitude and uncaffeinated? The road is pitted and stoney with precipices on either side; we must negotiate the pitfalls and sheer drops. The finger is bad this morning. Perhaps the last night's good sleep was last one, if I don't get the health service to see me?... The snow is not deep and I am ready. *** Quickly I am in Urgences at Centre Hospitalier de Rambouillet, thank you to French national health service and Marie-Thérèse for getting me here. The Accueil was very welcoming, perhaps because I am English and a pilgrim, who you rarely...

So I am starting to suffer with the infection in my right index finger. Most of the day I hadn't paid it much attention, but now, as I have time to reposé,  after a longish day - 27 kilometres - and after a warm soapy shower there is more pain. Tomorrow I probably should go to Urgencies at the Hospital in Chartres and await my turn to get a prescription... The family I am staying with, retirees, have never taken in a pilgrim, but they usually have refugees and asylum seekers for up to a month at a time. Lovely cup of tea and noisette  sablés and I can hear them chopping vegetables. It's been some time - years - since I last got welcomed by a family and I am very grateful. Tomorrow I should walk from here to rejoin the way in Rambouillet to decide what I should do about the infection: there is a hospital in Chartres and perhaps I must go there and have a day off on Saturday? Two nights in Chartres... Or stick to the original plan and see what can be done in Orléans? *** My host...

Getting to sleep is currently a difficulty, but once away ... It's deep and refreshing. Up before the alarm once more. I rarely sleep beyond 6 here. I love dawn so it's ideal. As the weather forecast looks foul for a few days I do wonder about where I am going, and why? In the past I was gravitating towards Catholicism or, even, Christianity. But I just can't get my head around belief, or faith; I am faithful to Lola... In a few more days I will be in Chartres and will consider my next actions: France has presidential elections from the 10th April... ... Waiting for pain  at 6:50am. Sounds indecent at this time of morning. Just a food ration. And I am still waiting... Am I waiting for pain? Lingering in an Abbey expecting excruciating torment. I am tormented by my inability to speak French less like a halfwit, de-dum. My guts are alive this morning, gurgling away, from the cheese and yogurt last night: and the difficult conversation with Evan - who appeared to be accusing m...

Is there a kitchen for me to make a coffee? Awake at 6:15am, breakfast not for another hour. Slept well in very quiet Montmartre. It's was quite a climb to get to the Guesthouse in time for diner, which I missed, but they had saved some food for me... A bowl of soup, a ragot de Bolognese and plenty of bread. Part of me says don't breakfast here as it was only €4, but what is an hour? I always am a little anxious prior to starting these schemes. But only 23kms from Tour Saint Jacques to Vauhallan, a bit further if I walk from Montmartre, which I should as that's the way. It will be a relief to be out of Paris with it's distractions. Luckily I don't care about Moulin Rouge, Louvre etc. This morning I will be putting one foot in front of the other all day long... I will walk, but I will have a proper break around one if I leave here on the dot of 8...thirty. *** A finger infection. Having an allotment brings with it hazards. Humans are frail. It's not pulsating yet...

I've so many aches and pains... Ingrowing toenail and a septic finger. Sore knees and knuckles. And the excruciating pain on the ball of my foot. Ibuprofen at the ready I feel... Antibiotics would be helpful! Getting to 50 and all the shutters are closing on half day... Give me back youth. Or would that help? Being youthful is healthy, but far too manic. I am 50 and I've got an allotment... Have I moved into the 5th age of man after the tumultuous 4th, where I was in a spinning frenzy. Last time I was in Paris, 2016, I didn't care if I lived or died (I was hoping for death to take me). So I was running around looking everywhere for a cheap bed, eventually the Bishop/Priest at Saint Severin allowed me to sleep in the crypt with the homeless. Walked up to the allotment, before heading to Deerstone Ridge for the 7:30am, to see that all the stuff I put in on Sunday are bedded in. The weather has changed: cooler and full covering of dull! So hopefully the potatoes will be fine, ...

Deep fried Korean Street Food... Not a positive experience. An unhealthy option. Much better to make my own food as I know exactly what is in it. That's it - a final weekend. Sunday and Monday - calm before departure. I'll need to get up early on Tuesday to collect a couple of items I have forgotten: waterproof trousers and microtowel. But that's OK. Better to leave before merry legs appears. Yesterday I repotted all 18 of the tomato seedlings into larger containers and, once mum's Airbnb guest has departed, I will bring them back inside and on the window sill in my bedroom. Slept on the floor for a little while, but I just couldn't get comfortable eventually, especially with the Korean Street Food rumbling around my bowels ungraciously, so I slept the remainder of the night on the Sofa, more comfortable but too short. Today I am going to spend most of the day doing stuff related to the allotment. I need to move some stuff up to it - broccoli and peas - I hope someo...

So begins another day. The bath is run. Ready for me to slip in and freshen up after the last few days of sweating and smelling. Lola and I walked to Boston Spa and back, around 11 miles, in glorious sunshine. By the climax she was screaming for a little sustenance so I gave her a little rice, chicken and stock around 1pm prior to her normal feed/dinner time at 3. After that I returned on a quiet X98 to the flat to change and head for a few halves in Leeds. 7 halves between 4 and 8 and one bottle of Kirkstall Dissolution. Read plenty of the Consolations of Philosophy  prior to a Shwarma and then back to place the washed clothing on the rack and bed around 8:15pm. No hangover, but slightly wobbly stomach from spicy meaty. First meat for a few weeks. At lunch mum had left me a Chicken leg to go with the rice so I broke the meat fast yesterday. Glenn is coming at 7:30 to help me move the seedlings back to 42: they're looking very healthy... I just hope that the lift is operating...