Monday, Sept 22

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Season 2025

Day 7; Audenfort to Tournhem

Made it to the half way point, (mostly)

Officially: 110.5 km, according to the guide book, or 103.15 km according to my watch (which ever is greater). I’m SURE it was a lot more than that but at least we hit the 100km mark.

We checked out of the Moulin d’Audenfort after a minimalist “Continental Breakfast” of croissants and coffee, for me at least. Catharine had to make do with bananas, cheese and ham and a coffee. And then we headed up the hill to meet up with the trail again.

Did I mention I hurt myself yesterday when I slipped trying to get out of the bathtub? I’m still really sore this morning. I mean, I REALLY hurt myself! I may have cracked ribs! Or worse. But I don’t want anyone feeling sorry for me. But that’s enough about me…

The forecast for today was mostly cloudy conditions, but the sky is bright and blue and the sun is shining gloriously. There was just that one long band of tiny dark clouds way off in the distance.

Today’s temptation: if we take the road it’s only 7km to today’s destination. BUT, because we ARE pilgrims, we will hike the 13km Via Francigena trail, through the mud, and the nettles, and the rocks, and the forest, and the fields…bla, bla, bla.

The trail is also designated the GR145 , it’s only one of the 65,000km network of long distance trails in France

Starting out. Clear sky, bright sun…all except that far away band of little dark clouds

Out in the country you might expect to find fresh strawberries for sale, in a vending machine?

It must be a popular way to sell strawberries because there’s only one packet left!

Of course that blue sky soon gave way to that dark band of clouds, the ones that WERE way off in the distance, and soon it starts to pour, with a fierce wind blowing everything sideways, so we take shelter in the lee of a giant tree at the edge of the forest and hope that there’s no lightning to go with the rain and wind.

And then the dark clouds came in, FAST! And we had to hustle up the hill to take shelter in the trees

Out of the forest and at the top of another hill we came across the ruins of a lonely little church

Closer look at the intricate, hand cut, stonework of what was the interior

Graffiti from 1935. The church is much older. That would be from after it had fallen to ruin

The plaque at the church with information, in French

Looking back as we descend the hill and can’t help thinking how sad the people that carved the stones and built this little church, How sad they would be to see it now.

Wet and tired and cold and…well sure, wet and tired and cold, but not totally unhappy

Always a treat to enjoy a refreshing beverage when we get to our destination at days end. Sometimes 2 refreshing beverages, if the first one was small 😉 and sometimes, even before we reach our destination.

At the bar; our rain soaked packs and hiking poles taking a break

Catharine enjoying a conversation in Frenglish with the proprietress of the pub

A photo on the wall of the outside of the bar on a sunny day

My photo of the outside of the pub on a not so sunny day

Gate to the village, or in our case out of the village

Catharine at “The Gate” to the hotel, happy now that we can finally check in.

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Monday, Sept 22

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