A rebel without a clue.

Today was so challenging. If this Chemin hasn't already tipped me beyond rescue today surely has? From 7:30am it was rain, heavy or persistent, you take your measure? This morning I left the farm house, a 15th century Grange or Manor which was, apparently, dedicated to Saint Tobias? However I might be completely wrong about the name of the saint - at that point I lost the host... it was very ancient, the wooden interior spoke centuries.  Turned left, after the out buildings, and through an ancient forest - where I heard a barking in the near distance, but it wasn't a wolf, a fox or a dog: stood opposing me was a huge stag. As I stood and faced, he faced and stood then, as I moved, he barked and a whole troop fled away from the cleft between us. At an acute angle, before the deluge, I was turned by the GR/Chemin Saint Jacques back on myself. For a little while I considered its 'touristic' twists and turns, but then decided it was impossible and followed the velo route in...

Tomme des Pyréneés and biére artisanale The Castle Grocery Store, cuvèe renaissance walking into the end of another long etape, Chaumont-sur-Loire on the southern shore of La Loire once more: again the northern shore was pretty tedious. Heading towards Rilly-sur-Loire for one night on a farm? *** And here I am. Sat by myself outside a gypsy caravan. It's a campsite as well as a sheep farm. But I think the farmer is away looking after his flock? There is no one about, no cars, vehicles, except some sheep and their lambs in a 'stable-block'. They're pretty relaxed. They looked at me a couple of times and then returned to whatever it is sheep do when they are not eating... The sun is trying to break through this second day of cloud cover...and up the path comes the farmer, just before 5, to feed the baa-baas - lambing season with 150 mutton to provide for, in addition to their progeny. I'm so remote. This might've been the sanctuary I sought when I left the UK? 7 d...

Yes, I will depart at 7:30, regardless of whether the host (23 Rue des Trois Marchands, donativo) is here to say goodbye. They were a little surprised I would be gone prior to 9. But I prefer the dawn for walking; Michel would like to get a mugshot of me with my rucksack. Thoroughly packed. Had a long refreshing shower last evening: first since Chartres... Everyday isn't necessary really, but I know some folks can't do without it? Primarily I would like to look around Blois a little this morning before to my route takes me west. And the host Michel has arranged for me to sleep in a farm surrounded by sheep - Amma ferme du Plessis. He says stick to the south way. Perhaps that's what he was saying? But I don't know as after he began speaking a little English he then dropped into rapid French where I understand half the content and had no words but comprendre  or je ne comprends pas to reply. *** The news! It's obsessed with just one thing! Well, currently...

At the end of a massive, continental, Camino day. It was so tough, but I got to the end in almost one piece. With, finally, two bits of reading material - only needed Cakes and Ale , by W. Somerset Maugham, but returned from the excellent bookshop with two Penguin Orange Backs: the second being Dandelion Days  by Henry Williamson - 1/6d each(€2) and both published in 1950(not first editions sadly). At the end of a frantic walk I do like to unwind into a novel or something uncorrupted by the media mafia conceits of current times: who talk nonsense to get people to chose sides as I walk down the narrow edge between them. Michel & Danielle, my hosts, have a wonderful 'studio' for pèlerin. I've finally got to 'caminoland' with today's very good repase  and this evening's reposé.  I am a lucky man, but perhaps after 35 Kms I earned it.

Extremely bug-ger-ed(tired beyond the word tired). Had to hitch after the last stretch along the Loire between Muides-sur-Loire and Saint Dyé-sur-Loire. Much better visually on the left bank: the right bank was long and straight along the top of the levee. The left bank had those last two leafy tumbling pathways. Unrinating on this side was much better! I wasn't staring at a nuclear power plant while irradiating out the copious water I'd drunk during repase.  Thirty five kilometres this day. Never with a spring in my step. Unlike from Orléans: La Ruche was just too remote. But I didn't catch a bus or train and the second car to pass me by stopped: a small Renault, with a guy off to play football after work: good man, auto-stop. No English spoken so we used Google Translate like a Babbelfish... Perhaps something like a universal translator is around the corner? Before I present myself for this evening with the family hosts I have come for an earned Petrus Red: th...

Fifteen minutes before noon and I couldn't walk another inch! But then I just found a formule du midi - repase - €13.80 for entrée, plat and dessert, vin and café inclusif! B'art Gourmet, Avaray! Phew - four and a half hours 22 kilometres! I am ionising opposite the reactors! And it's not mentioned in the Miam Miam Dodo...why am I carrying it? Toilet paper...

Tuesday is all about walking? My previous suggestion that I may catch the bus to Beaugency didn't amount to anything. A brief coffee and croissant at the boulangerie opposite La Ruche then another Longé at the Bar Tabac on the crossroads in Meung sur-Loire then I continued alongside the La Mauve de Saint Ay until I reached back on the Loire, mistaking it for a lake! Arriving a bit weary in Beaugency ready to stop, but as the breakfast options were none, I bought two apples(canada variety) and two large quiche aux legumes in the centre, before heading for another coffee and water to wash down penicillin. Setting off again around 9:30 it seems I am passing a Nuclear power station, on the left bank, before I too cross over to that side. Eaten the rations and hope they keep me moving two more hours? I would like to rest properly before I attempt Blois on these feet!