france
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Orbe to Cossonay: a little glimpse of heaven
Leaving Orbe, the route took me back up the gorge of the river Orbe for a short while – this time on the other bank. Saturday morning activities abounded – with football occupying a good number of Orbites, or Orbeans,… Continue reading
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Les-Hôpitaux-Neufs to Orbe: I will lift mine eyes unto the [Swiss] hills
What a difference a day makes, as Dinah Washington once sang. I had a very good night’s sleep; if I had kept Remy awake with my snoring, he was very gracious about it. Out of the window, looking towards Switzerland,… Continue reading
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Pontarlier to Les-Hôpitaux-Neufs: drama, danger and another drenching
When I first awoke, it was sunny. However, I didn’t want to get up at 5.30am. By 7am it was overcast. By 7.30am it was grey and overcast. However, I reminded myself as I finished my coffee at my accommodation… Continue reading
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Lods to Pontarlier: a pilgrim’s ascent and watery descent
I had judged that this day would probably be the most challenging of the whole walk. The limestone gorge of the river Loue comes to and end (or more correctly, a beginning) with a spectacular waterfall, underground water emerging to… Continue reading
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Ornans to Lods: smooth runs the water
You will have discerned a pattern, dear reader: a long and tiring day, is flowed by a loafing day. and today I was going to loaf by the Loue… the river Loue that is! Ornans lies in the Loue valley,… Continue reading
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Besançon to Ornans: from “Les Mis” to “Les Misread Signs”
Firstly, apologies to any readers who worry that something has happened to me if there isn’t a usual daily post. If I miss a post it is usually owing to a very long day and / or good hospitality. Yesterday… Continue reading
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Gy to Besançon: more lavoirs, loafing and shade
Almost everyday I’ve had an earworm. I can’t believe I’ve not shared this with you before. Often it seems to be set by my pace. He who would valiant be was a recent, if not obvious one. More embarrassingly I… Continue reading
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Seveux to Gy: it ain’t half hot
Just a short update today. Following warm and generous hospitality at the Gîte du Reve at Seveux with Roger, his son and fellow guest Serge, I made a reasonably early start to walk the 29km to Gy. The official stage… Continue reading
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Leffond to Seveux via Dampierre-sur-Salon: commemorations, conviviality and more canals
Yesterday I awoke early at the gîte belonging to the Leffond commune and busied myself making breakfast. VE Day is a public holiday in France, usually just referred to as 8th May. I was grateful for the baguette that had… Continue reading
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Langres to Leffond: tis in my memory lock’d
My memory served me both well and ill on this long day’s walk from the hilltop city of Langres to the riverside idyl of Leffond. I had booked into the gîte above the Mairie at Leffond the day before, but… Continue reading