A Year Long Pilgrimage

Another day on my own, as Joan's feet didn't really like yesterday's longish day.  She caught the bus to Auxerre while I walked.  There was a very steep ascent after Milly, the first village after Chablis, and views back to Chablis were somewhat limited due to the misty fog that persisted for a good part of the day.  Though it was quite damp, I resisted donning any rainwear or the umbrella, just hoping that it wouldn't get any worse. Near the top of the first ascent of the day, looking down on Milly, with Chablis in the distance. The path continued through, and passed, vineyards, crops and forest.  The tractors buzzed around, passing me on the paths and working in the vineyards.  Heading into Auxerre I decided to follow the cycle path as it headed more directly into the city.  A few showers passed, but I was fortunate to be able to shelter under trees, rather than break out the rain gear.  I nearly knocked myself out when I connected with a speed sign ...

Yes, we are in Chablis, having walked past acres of vineyards for the latter half of the day.  This is a pretty, very old, village with a number of caves (wine stores) dotted throughout.  The special tractors used amongst the vines and high off the ground, zoom around the narrow streets looking a little like robots from a sci-fi movie. The descent into Chablis The synagogue in Chablis Something we're definitely on a lean in Chablis! Another circular staircase for the organist to climb. An ancient manuscript on display in the church in Chablis. We had a few obstacles today.  Numerous trees blocked our way at times, a challenge working out whether to go over or under.  Joan is shorter than me so she would choose under, while I would try over first! Over or under.... .... but the vineyards were a treat... ....  as were the sunflowers and the poppies ... ...  and walking around the fields. We had a leisurely lunch at the lavoir in the village of Collan.  I...

Well Joan is back with me tonight.  Where's she been you ask?  Her feet were very sore, we think from her shoes, and so she decided to skip four days (in the heat), and become a tourist.  She has been gadding about sight seeing in Bar-sur-Aube and Langres, places I have walked through in the past.  We are now back together and she will walk the next two days with me before returning home. The last four days have been very hot and so I have been making as early a start as possible.  Leaving Clairvaux I had around 20kms of walking through a massive forest.  The only people I saw that day were two cyclists whizzing past on a quiet D road and where I just happened to have stopped for the only rest for the day.  This forest was mozzie capital!  As soon as I stopped I would be attacked by them and so the simplest thing was to keep walking.  Even though I had pushed it all day I was fearful that I would not get to the Tourist Office by 6.00pm - the ...