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.
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.
My accommodation is unusual, and charming. The owner's mother is an artist who has made her mark! Le Cedre Bleu After breakfast I walked to the intown bus terminus. I need some lightweight shoes for the evening, my feet are frozen in flip-flops. The French passion for edge of town Centres Commerciaux has had quite …
Continue reading Camino Stage 1: Day 6.2 Rest Day in Bourges
Day 5: Too cold for the daisies to open! The day dawned grey and distinctly chilly, with the potential for rain. I breakfasted and said my goodbyes. I headed off in a novel variation of the official route of my own devising, despite yesterday's challenges. Halfway through my shortcut I ran into a friendly farmer …
Continue reading Camino Stage 1: Day 5 L’Omnie (Couy) to Bourges 22kms
Day 3: Again, a misty start, but it seemed to hold the promise of something better later on. Breakfast at 8. Madame told me of her mother who had been born in Manchester, but who had ended up being married off and veiled in Lebanon, before escaping to Morocco (having been obliged to leave her …
Continue reading Camino Stage 1: Day 3.2 Chasnay to La Chapelle-Montlinard 22k
From The Quire 