I first felt the desire to undertake this pilgrimage over forty years ago when a friend did it. I was fascinated by what I heard. Life intervened, very wonderfully, and I never had the chance until now. This first putting my feet in the water of pilgrimage has been utterly wonderful. Sometimes it is very …
Continue reading Camino Stage 1: Paris to Southwell – first reflections
Day 10: When planning the start of this pilgrimage, I decided to give myself a morning's rest before heading home. So I had a leisurely breakfast and then headed off to explore Chateauroux. Jardin Publique Eglise Saint-Martial The old town was delightful, the modern (19c and later) less so. I wanted to go to mass. …
Continue reading Camino Stage 1: Day 10 Chateauroux to Paris: Turning for home.
After lovely weather yesterday, I was hoping for a bit more of the same. So you can imagine what I thought when I saw this. However, despite moving my wet weather gear to accessible bits of my rucksack, the cloud lightened up and the day settled into being just overcast. Perfect for walking, in fact. …
Continue reading Camino Stage 1: Day 9 Neuvy-Pailloux to Chateauroux 25.5 kms
A hotter day, but with a cooling wind. Much more off-road walking. Very pleasant. Lunch in Issoudun. Issoudun has lots of industry on its outskirts, and lots of retail businesses on its edge, but the impact on the town centre has been terrible. Shop after shop closed down, all looking dusty and abandoned, as if …
Continue reading Camino Stage 1: Day 8.2 Chârost to Neuvy-Pailloux 18 kms
A bright sunny morning, but a cool breeze. Fifteen and a half kms later I am in the centre of Issoudun. On the way in I was getting very tired and dehydrated, so I bought a cold drink. There was a bench outside; I sat down to have a bit of a rest. A few …
Continue reading Camino Stage 1: Day 8.1 Issoudun and the little old man.
The day dawned sunny and calm, which was a relief, as the weather forecast said that there would be wind from the north. Breakfast and away by 08.30. I said goodbye to the cathedral in bright sun on Ascension Day. Hail the day that sees him rise is also a good walking hymn! Today was …
Continue reading Camino Stage 1: Day 7 Bourges to Chârost 23 kms
From The Quire 