We stepped outside to ice covered snow and we were ready to go. Shoes weren’t quite dry but good enough. We had our ice grippers on and away we went. It was really beautiful!!
There were several steep climbs and we kicked booty!! No complaining and my heart rate stayed at a normal (for me) pace!!
We are staying strong when we have to go more than 10 kms for a stop but are so happy when we get to stop.
When given a side glance at our lunch stop I didn’t get offended just giggled!! He looked around the restaurant like surely we can sit elsewhere. But they didn’t move.
So many of you have sent messages, encouragement, and contributions to gofundme. We really feel like you are walking with us. We love you all!
We are safely in our hotel for the night and look forward to what tomorrow brings!!
I had strange dreams all last night. I dreamt someone came up the stairs to where we were staying and I woke hearing footsteps on the stairs. And this morning the key lock was set on the right code and Noel had scrambled it when we came in. It was a little strange. Also heard other strange noises. Noël said it was the heating but when I got up to see it was ice hitting the skylight.
We waited hoping that the rain would melt the ice but alas it did not. 200 meters after leaving our accommodation I said I need my yaktrax on (ice/snowgrippers). Noël wasn’t convinced they would work but he humored me and we put them on. He was very pleased. He said they work in ice, snow and mud!! Unfortunately the metal coils can rip the rubber which is what happened with mine but they still worked.
Once again the stop we had planned and that google said was open was not. So after 12 kms we had to keep walking. Only another 8,4 kms. We sat for about three minutes in a dry bus stop but the wind was too cold and we were getting chilled. We had food with us but it was too cold to stop and get it out and try to eat it. Our mittens/gloves were sopping wet.
We made it to our accommodation thank goodness and got out of our wet things. Fortunately our clothes were bone dry under all our gear. We ate a sandwich and I sat fully clothed in the sauna trying to thaw.
After shower we are warming up and waiting to order some dinner in. It will probably be lunch tomorrow as well considering how things are going for us. 😂
As we have mentioned we are using our walk to raise awareness for cancer research. The challenge of this walk reminds us that those who have cancer and are getting treatment often have a long and difficult road ahead of them. They are faced with obstacles, ups and downs, and very hard days. Thank you to those who have contributed and if you are so inclined please help us with this important cause.
First off I’m so glad we took this day. I mean sure we could’ve gotten up and walked but I do think our bodies wouldn’t have been kind to us.
In Saint Quentin, France we joined the Via Francigena which is the pilgrimage from Canterbury, England to Rome and on to Jerusalem. We will be on this route until Reims, France where we will be walking the Via Campaniensis to Vezelay.
This has been a difficult journey in terms of finding stops along the way to have a breakfast or lunch or just a rest. We have been pretty fortunate for finding places to sleep and are very much looking forward to simpler accommodations especially on the camino Francés. (Maybe even the Vezelay and Le Puy de Valei).
I love the feeling of having everything I need on my back. I’m pretty sure my spirit animal is a turtle 🐢!! But…There is a toll physically when you are carrying a backpack and walking day in and day out. It is super important to listen to your body when it protests. Again another life lesson.
There’s a different sensation mentally and spiritually or emotionally if you prefer. I will go into the spiritual another time. Remind me if I forget. But I want to mention the mental.
Noël and I don’t walk listening to music often. So the sounds of the environment are what we hear plus the conversation in our own minds oh snd there is occasionally the conversation with each other. When walking along busy roads you feel a chaos within you-constant noise, distractions, even fear.
While in nature you are more relaxed listening to the birds, water, wind etc. It also allows you to think. This is such a good opportunity to process. I’ve been doing a lot of processing. More on that later.
Again thank you for walking with us and for supporting us with your notes, comments and gofundme.
Tripping Into Grace 