Camino Stage 3: Day 6 – Sorges to Périgueux

Fabienne and I said goodbye to François and Hilde and left Sorges at 08.15. François and Hilde Different associations run groups of refuges. This was first class. Today's walking was remarkable for being almost entirely on green lanes and forest paths. Fabienne, a year 8 teacher in south Belgium, and I agreed to walk together …

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Camino Stage 3: Day 5 – Thiviers to Sorges

I stayed last night at a Chambre d'Hote on the edge of Thiviers. Dry feet for the first time in three days! It was fine, but I am sure it was not worth three times the cost of staying in a pilgrim hostel. I am using these more, and the experience so far is excellent. …

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Camino Stage 3: Day 4 – La Coquille to Thiviers.

Today was a most enjoyable day's walking. We all got up early and had breakfast at 7. Thierry was first away as he planned to do 32kms to Négronde. I left at 7.50. There had been no rain overnight, and though the sky was cloudy, it looked like it would get better, it was warmer, …

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Camino Stage 3: Day 3 – le Pré du Lac to La Coquille.

Camping was not a clever idea. I gave up camping holidays some years ago not because I didn't enjoy the experience, but because increasing arthritis meant that I was unable to bend and fold myself in ways that make managing small tents practical and enjoyable. So when heavy rain started as I was finishing supper …

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Camino Stage 3: Day 2 – Aixe-sur-Vienne to le Pré du lac Pagéas

Remains of a Roman bridge at Aixe I had a very comfortable night. It had clearly rained a lot in the night, but threatening clouds were clearing when I left at 08.15. The first part of the route followed a tributary of the Vienne, and it was clear that the area had endured a lot …

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Camino Stage 3: Day 1 – Getting there

Today sees the start of my third leg of pilgrimage. I'm well into the French part now, and I hope to get to Sainte-Foy-la-Grande over the next ten days. But getting deeper into France makes for slightly more complicated journeys to pick up the trail. Ready to go Getting home I will leave from Bordeaux, …

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