We had a short day today. Starting with a lovely breakfast provided by our hostess from last night. We left at 10:30 in a cold mist that was blowing hard in gusts of 50-60 kph. And it was all uphill for 3 kms.

I’m thankful for sustaining nourishment, gracious hosts and hills that make us stronger.

After walking through woods and then alongside woods for 3 kms we heard several gunshots too close for our comfort. So we found an alternate route that took us into the vineyards and away from the forest.

I’m grateful for options on our way. For paths that lead away from danger.

Since we were walking such a short distance we checked about getting into our accommodation early. We were able to by 1:30. It was only 12:15 as we entered the village and we found a shelter with a picnic table and a fountain. We sat to eat some sandwiches I had prepared last evening.

I’m thankful for finding a place out of the rain, for prepared food, for lightening our backpacks and filling our stomachs, for being able to check in early.

We walked around the village without our packs and enjoyed the sunshine that was now gracing our day. We have dinner for tonight, breakfast and lunch for tomorrow. We may have found a stop, hopefully it will be open. But once we get to our lodging there are no stores or restaurants, so we will have to see what tomorrow brings!

I’m grateful for sunshine after rain, for planning ahead for meals, for surprise stops, and that we can adapt, adjust and keep going!! And I’m grateful for today and tomorrow!!

Hope all is well with you. Feel free to share your gratitudes for today!! And if you are inclined please support our gofundme.

https://gofund.me/e25bbc66

We have been very fortunate with accommodations. Last night and today are no exception!! We had a mostly relaxing morning starting out late and sitting in a cafe to plan the next few days. It’s been harder the past few days to find good accommodations with reasonable prices. But we are in champagne country. So today and tomorrow are only 9 kms each.

Some reflections and observations. We have been very tired the past few days and were wondering why? Then we thought about where we have been, the weather conditions (snow, ice, mud, cold temps and warmer temps), the distance (about 500 kms, which is about 2/3 of the Camino Frances. No wonder we are tired.

We also observed that the emotional and spiritual highs and lows are playing a big part as well. It’s interesting that we can realize the physical exhaustion but forget to acknowledge when we are mentally, emotionally or spiritually exhausted.

It’s so important to rest…rest your body, rest your mind, rest your spirit, rest your emotions. Resting your body might be the easiest of these to do, unless you are a workaholic then it’s a challenge. Learning to rest your mind, spirit, emotions has to be learned and it’s different for everyone. What are some ways that you rest your mind, spirit, and emotions?

So we are taking it a bit easier, stopping in every church we find open, lighting candles, saying a prayer, writing and sharing our experiences.

Thank you for coming along with us!!

I will kid you not today was difficult. After yesterday slogging through the mud I was asleep by 8 pm. And had a restless night. We started on our way up out of town, by 8:30 and it was a a climb. We slipped through the mud and were blown about by the wind.

Google said it would be 16 kms. We are going back and forth between the official route and google. Some guessed 20-22 kms for the day. It was 22,2. We will have more after going to dinner.

Our stay last last was very comfortable and had an interesting story. It is being renovated by a very energetic man. It was the lodgings for the workers at the castle. The castle was demolished during the Second World War and the barracks went I to disrepair. Tonight’s stay is also awesome in Epernay. Here is our walk down the hill?

As we were entering Epernay we stopped by a cafe. Before we could enter a man asked if we were on the Saint Jacques de Chemin. Yes we said. He wanted you to buy us a drink. Okay. Well we had a conversation when we left Ternuezen about how long it would take before someone bought us a meal or a drink. 500 kms…not quite 500 miles.

Hope you are well if you feel inclined please contribute to our gofundme for cancer research.

https://gofund.me/e25bbc66

We had such a great stay in Reims especially our second day. The accommodation was absolutely fantastic!!! We bought simple groceries to eat in and try to save a bit. Spaghetti and meatballs. Yummy.

We had a relaxed morning because we only had 10 kms to do with a stop at the decathlon to get new ice grippers. We had to go across the street to Intersport because decathlon was sold out due to the nasty weather last week. We got what we needed and then hit a cafe. We thought it was just a bar and a beer store but they had food. We were in need of food!! Pizza!!but we saw so many signs.

I’m glad we are doing shorter days. I’m very tired today. Maybe the weather? Cloudy, cool, rainy? Maybe walking nearly 500 kms/310 miles in 22 days.

We found our accommodation but there is no where to eat unless we walk 2 kms. So we decided to stay put. Our host offered us cheese and ham. We have bread and orange juice. Next obstacle is there are no good stops tomorrow. But we have breakfast here. Thank goodness!!!

Last frustration….we love to light candles but often we do not have the coins to light them, or they are electric candles. So we bought our own candle. Like I have already mentioned so many churches are not open. We will be lighting our candle on the steps of churches or in our accommodation. Much love and peace coming your way.

All is well.