A rebel without a clue.

Yermenonville: perfect to stop around a quarter past nine for an elevensies- scrambled eggs, butter and bread, and another coffee (€5.50) before the next 3rd of the way today. At around 30 kilometres at around 20 I will stop for repase  near L'Eure. Then it's down the valley towards Chartres, again. Last time was around 8 years ago when I had more hair and more weight, but less sanity. I've connected with the same fellow in Mainvilliers from then. Perhaps I stop in Chartres this evening and further discuss the beer festivals around Chartres and Sours? Every dog paw print reminds me of her. Oh well, looks like my plan of stopping around 20 Kms was premature as there was zero revitallement  in the village next to L'Eure.  So I continue another 7 kilometres? At least I ate well last night, at breakfast and had the egg, bread and butter in Yermenonville. Now I walk gingerly by the side of the railway tracks to see if anything is up ahead? Last turn and there is ...

Waiting calmly in a hidden corner of the quieter area at Leeds Bradford: there used to be a pray room here but they got rid of it to provide more space for a bar... A chance to charge this phone up. Lemon and hot water to drink. Flapjack and nuts for the brief flight to Beauvais and the 50 mile coach journey to Porte Maillot. So far no alcohol. I am in the other mode of existence... Where I Wii be seated on 21B, between folks, wishing the trip was over. A short hop. Much better than 3+ hours of Ryanair ranting and raving. My usual complaints around this time... But it doesn't matter. We're all on a journey somewhere, we're all experiencing life a little different from each other? There are a dozen Imams departing too so for them the experience might be different/difficult. The last time that there was a pray room here in Leeds Ruby Wax joined me for a moment's meditation: she's the infuriating individual who definitely sped me on my way to hopelessness... She always...

Feelings of guilt. One too many beers effected my good effort yesterday. Something, like the promise of happiness, took me for not one or two, but three glasses of Kwak. True I had walked 3 and a half hours without stopping for anything other than water, and so I was 'starving' as, in the snow, I trudged up from the Gare in Epernon to the center ville. After a late lunch - around 3pm I continued, with those 3 beers causing trouble, to the Priory of Saint Thomas and was presented with a bill for the evening of €40. And I just couldn't afford it after the prescription, food and beer had cost €50. So I said I'd have to go without food €15... The Soeur I was paying, who had a mask on, said it was OK and I could still eat that evening. I went and laid down and slept until 6pm: I really had had a long day, including 2 hours in the Hospital waiting room, and now I have penicillin... Life is complicated by not moving and being in just one place - due to COVID - surrounded me in...

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...