Saturday 28 July 2007
600km and all's well...
Keeping a gentle pace for the first week after Nantes, we passed through the marshland by Lac de Grand-Lieu where there is an infestation of freshwater lobsters (crayfish). Every stream, pond and puddle was teaming and local fishermen were having a field day. I however, was distinctly unamused when all through the night the little blighters kept on popping up under my groundsheet.
At Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu we spectacularly missed the July 14th 'Storming of the Bastille' celebrations by turning up on the 14th. Apparently the fireworks and party the night before were particularly good this year. Oh well, there's always the 15th August to look forward to.
From there we cut southeast, try to avoid larger towns like La-Roche-sur-Yon. After a few nights camping sauvage (ie not in a campsite), which is frowned on for some reason, we reached Lucon with it's impressive church spire, visable for miles across the flat marshes of the Southern Vendee.
Some 50 souless kilometers later (2 days walking) we came to a little church on the outskirts of La Rochelle which had a Salle des Pellerins and an exhibition on the Chemin de St-Jacques. This was a huge morale boost and some of the maps of the routes to Santiago were over 500 years old. Also had time for learned discussions with other pilgrims (see above).
Am setting off now for Royan (100km South) and should get there in under a week.
Love to all and a huge thanks to those of you who have sponsored my chosen charity. I have had contact with the project coordinator who says that Vocational Training Centre in Tanzania is thriving and that another is being built to widen access.
At Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu we spectacularly missed the July 14th 'Storming of the Bastille' celebrations by turning up on the 14th. Apparently the fireworks and party the night before were particularly good this year. Oh well, there's always the 15th August to look forward to.
From there we cut southeast, try to avoid larger towns like La-Roche-sur-Yon. After a few nights camping sauvage (ie not in a campsite), which is frowned on for some reason, we reached Lucon with it's impressive church spire, visable for miles across the flat marshes of the Southern Vendee.
Some 50 souless kilometers later (2 days walking) we came to a little church on the outskirts of La Rochelle which had a Salle des Pellerins and an exhibition on the Chemin de St-Jacques. This was a huge morale boost and some of the maps of the routes to Santiago were over 500 years old. Also had time for learned discussions with other pilgrims (see above).
Am setting off now for Royan (100km South) and should get there in under a week.
Love to all and a huge thanks to those of you who have sponsored my chosen charity. I have had contact with the project coordinator who says that Vocational Training Centre in Tanzania is thriving and that another is being built to widen access.
Thursday 12 July 2007
On the road again...
Finally, with foot nearly healed, we are setting off again. Nantes is a wonderful city to explore as a tourist, but strapping on the rucksack again feels like a huge relief. The next few days will be getting back into the rhythm of things, checking feet compusively and sweating out any toxins we might have acquired ;)
It will also be great to buy cheap healthy food from supermarkets rather than surviving almost exclusively on kebab and chips (about the only dish in the city we could afford).
The pilgrimage recommences at Le Pellerin (photo above) and from there we head South-East across the Vendes towards La Rochelle.
Friday night is the 14th July, so we will try to find a larger town with a campsite so that we can feel part of the fète and watch the fireworks. Vive la revolution!
It will also be great to buy cheap healthy food from supermarkets rather than surviving almost exclusively on kebab and chips (about the only dish in the city we could afford).
The pilgrimage recommences at Le Pellerin (photo above) and from there we head South-East across the Vendes towards La Rochelle.
Friday night is the 14th July, so we will try to find a larger town with a campsite so that we can feel part of the fète and watch the fireworks. Vive la revolution!
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