March 31, 2024 - Sainte Gilles to Gallargues-le-Montueux - 27kms - Studio Neuf Proche Camargue April 1, 2024 - Gallargues-le-Montueux - Vendargues - 25kms - La Domitiene April 2, 2024 - Vendargues - Montpellier - 12kms - Citadines Ruth: I tried to write my own lyrics to the Sound of Music’s “Favourite Things” with a French twist, but my rhymes were so bad I just ... Read More
March 30, 2024 Arles to St. Gilles - 20 kms - Hotel Le Saint Gillois It feels wonderful to once again be walking on the Camino. We spent a couple of nights in Arles, which is a beautiful small city, but as always I was chomping at the bit to start walking. There is generally a little anxiety about the first days on a Camino. ... Read More
On Saturday we will be resuming our 4,000 km pilgrimage from Budapest to Santiago de Compostela. Last year we travelled the more than 2000 kms from Budapest to Arles, France. Gord made the entire way on foot and I walked and rode with my folding bike “Grandma Friday”. I often find myself feeling that I am not really making the journey legitimately because I have ... Read More
Our last two days on the route were hot but stunningly beautiful. Yesterday we passed through Saint-Rémy-de Provence. Even though no Van Gogh paintings remained in Provence, many were painted near Saint-Rémy and Arles. The route is now an Art pilgrimage passing many signs that indicate which paintings were created at a particular location. I still am so moved by Van Gogh’s art snd his ... Read More
I’ve learned a few things about weather forecasts in my last few trips. I used to let a bad weather forecast torment me even before the bad weather arrived. I would think to myself, “This the last nice day we will have for a week.” In some cases I wouldn’t even enjoy the nice day. I would only be happy when we had that narrow ... Read More
Seeing the land of Cezanne as he saw it. In the early morning light that transforms the sugar cube houses into peach and orange and the pines into umbrellas sporting every possible shade of green. Cooing doves form the morning soundtrack but as soon as the afternoon heat rises the cicadas begin their loud electric cha cha cha. They’re silenced only if we come too ... Read More
Three days ago we passed our first lavender field. The mountains were becoming more rounded, the style of the houses was changing, and we began to hear cicadas. The city of Sisteron, self-described as the gateway to Provence, made it official: we have entered that justifiably famous region. Starting with Sisteron we have been treated to a series of beautiful cities and villages in the ... Read More
On a daily basis, across four countries, Ruth and I have had agitated dogs barking at us as we pass. The dogs are almost always chained up or behind a fence, so they are rarely a real threat, though we do occasionally get a shot of adrenaline when they materialize from nowhere in a burst of noise and dog saliva.I’m not sure why Europeans feel ... Read More
I must be tired. Things are bugging me and I’m feeling grumpy. The “Welcome “ book at the campground where we have rented a bungalow has more rules and warnings about fines and consequences than any real welcome. In order to use their pool I had to buy Gord a clinging French approved bathing suit, because the shorts style are strictly forbidden. We knew this ... Read More
This is now Gordon’s longest walk ever. We passed our previous record of 1700 kms yesterday. We both have been so focused on our journey and the logistics of finding and booking accommodation and deciding upon routes that we missed our 20th wedding anniversary. We will have to make up for that at the end of the mont when we celebrate our anniversary of 33 ... Read More