A rebel without a clue.

Monday's can seem a bit like non-days in France, when everything is closed: patisserie, boulangrie, restaurant, etc, so I decided I won't bother tonight with anymore food. The repase at 3 was adequate for this day, on top of the large brunch  in Saint Ay. In the morning I must decide whether to catch the bus forward a little, so I could possibly reach Blois, and stay at the Auberge du Jeunesse, in two days. Perhaps reaching Tour by Wednesday is a little far fetched? Unless I walk, then catch a bus forward, but tomorrow, having just walked up to the Bridge in Meung sur- Loire, I don't really want to walk 2.8kms before actually another 6 to reach where I probably should've been today?  Beaugency would be the ideal start tomorrow. The lady at the Halte Jacquaire was helpful finding me this place, but it is just slightly too prior the ideal location for Tuesday. Why am I rushing to get to Tour? I've already been there in 2014. Perhaps I reach Amboise then skip from it t...

Word for the day: one of my favourite... a misapplied or inappropriate name or designation. L'Agylien scrambled eggs(Bain Marie) potatoes and salad were fit for a king(€7 Prix pour Pèlerin)!.After 3 hours I wanted to stopped for a little time in Saint Ay, as my left foot is a little tender this morning... Walking in Orléans didn't help and 15 kilometres in 3 hours is a killer. Following the right bank of La Loire. It's all good! But maybe I do stop early today as I've a place 5kms up the road La Ruche - €15. The humming of insects... It's something quite surreal. I had a similar experience walking from Geneva. The sound, collectively, added together can be quite overwhelming. France equals fecundity. Luckily I ate well this morning as Meung sur la Loire is closed to me except more awful 7jours pizza. So I'm heading back to La Ruche and a quick look into the Portuguese establishment. Quick beer in the Presse, Bar, Tabac, PMU. The first in these places where all y...

Up before the other two pilgrims, but thanks to the older man's alarm which went off early... Which is good. Sat down to breakfast and the black cherry jam which is not jam, actually confit: very nice but not sweet. Ideal for pork or another flesh, but a little too savoury for breakfast... But it's food! All food is gratefully received when you don't know what your are doing from one moment to the next? The way is before me again. I don't really like 'rest' days as they are fraught with potholes: beer, people, people, beer. It's all good! Back to Monday and the 'walking' week... Big cities bring on mauvaise santé mentale, especially after a long morning driving along the flat landscape in L'Eure - La Beauce   Second round of bread and 'jam' and this time it is confiture.. I am a lucky man. Four demi of Abbey Blonde yesterday and then a pile of beautiful Puy lentils. I am a simple man. Bon Courage...

Je suis arrivé à Orléans. And it's electioneering. I couldn't communicate that I had already arrived outside the Halte Jacquaire. So now I have meandered down to the Loire... Could be worse... Sunday afternoon from Chartres to Orléans in a smooth hour, but I talked my head off to the driver: I've not seen a soul in ages, especially to sit next to, so all I did was talk. She must've been traumatized! It might've been worse though as I might've said nothing at all... Place de la Loire and a Biére d'Abbaye Floreffe in La Concurrence... It could be worse. You know when being a bit tired suddenly hits you? Well it's done it again. I must repeat - yesterday was such a long day, without a proper feed. What will become of me today... I must get a proper feed! *** The hostess thought there was two British Pilgrims. I was surprised because I've never met another. And it turns out she was waiting for me... I guess that comes from not mentioning that I am Britis...

Because there was no chance of a coach/bus until 1800 this evening from Chartres to Orléans I decided better to get a lift with BlaBlaCar from 11am to get me there around noon. I've written to the representative of the local Amis Saint Jacques in Orléans, Compostelle 45, to see if I can stay on Sunday night in the Halte Jacquaire before I set off again Monday through to Saturday when I must head for Limoges and one nights accommodation there, before returning to the UK. The Presidential Election here in France, from the 10th, has put me off walking that week from the 11th and it's Palm Sunday on the 10th so it would be a sensible time to return for Easter Week to the UK - and dog sitting duties afterwards.  The price of flights after the 10th skyrockets because that is during the main week/2 weeks of schools Easter holidays which suggests it is sensible not to be caught paying €150 for a €12.99 flight... 10 days on The Way is better for my mental health than zero days. *** Yest...

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...