Outstanding – May 15, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #2 Beaumont/Chaumont
  • Distance: 16.8 miles / Total 29.4 miles
  • Ascent: 1,828’ / Descent: 2,308’
  • Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 50-60°/ overcast, rain (2nd rainy day)

View from my bedroom window. Mont Blanc lays beyond this mountain range.

Worth the walk.
As Ethel Merman said, “Life is coming up roses.”
My feet say I climbed that mountain.

Fromagerie – May 15, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #2 Beaumont/Chaumont
  • Distance: 16.8 miles / Total 29.4 miles
  • Ascent: 1,828’ / Descent: 1,308’
  • Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Weather: 50-60°/ overcast, rain (2nd rainy day)

Not only does Gǐte Fromagerie have no cows, it also makes no cheese. Disappointment. However, a charming place to stay.

Gǐte Fromagerie
Gǐte Fromagerie
The neighbor’s cows.
Dirt and rain make MUD.

Daily Delight – May 14, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #1 Genèva/Beaumont
  • Distance: 12.6 miles / Total 12.6 miles
  • Ascent: 1,303’ / Descent: 126’
  • Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Weather: 55-65°/ overcast, very light rain (1st rainy day)

Daily delights…

Transportation Lake Genèva style.
Genèva parents ferry children about town on these clever bikes.
Jules Verne port side.
It’s all in the details of the Genèva home.

Seek and Find – May 14, 2024

  • Francès ~ Gebennesis Camino – #1 Genèva/Beaumont
  • Distance: 12.6 miles / Total 12.6 miles
  • Ascent: 1,303’ / Descent: 125’
  • Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Weather: 55-65°/ overcast, very light rain (1st rainy day)

I find what I seek in this unexpected church. Contentment. Peace. Gregorian chants fill the space. Slipping my shoes off, I listen, look, rest, and give thanks.

Gregorian chants caused me to take a deep relaxing breather.
With walls so simple, I didn’t expect the ceiling to be adorn with art.
Poppy

Sorting Out ~ May 13, 2024

  • Le Val, Provence
  • Weather: 60-75 degrees, blue sky with clouds

Sophie is the quintessential light traveler as her Camino backpack weights 6 pounds. At my request she suggested items to ditch…a pair of shorts, a pair socks, a dozen zip-lock bags. Being French she added a dress. My backpack weighs 10.8 pounds albeit without water.

Boarding TVG train.
Leaving Provence for Genèva.

Inseparable ~ May 12, 2024

  • Le Val, Provence
  • Weather: 60-75 degrees, blue sky with clouds

France and faith are inseparable. This Catholic Church sets no barriers during the family friendly service. Holding papa’s hand, a totter takes his first steps down the aisle. Mothers pace the aisle calming infants. Mimicking the adults, a five year old girl slipped inside the confessional booth for a wee chat with the priest. A set of seven year old boys pass the collection basket. Pews empty as the whole congregation went to the alter to receive communion or blessing from the priest. Inclusion at its best.

Only a camera’s “click” drew the boys’ eye from the alter.
Typical facade of Provence.
Provence white asparagus.

Reunion ~ May 11, 2024

  • Aix-en-Provence
  • Weather: 60-75 degrees, clear skies

Aix-en-Provence is a buzz with tomorrow’s arrival of the Olympic flame bound for the Paris Olympics. To avoiding crowds, the day is spent in Sophie’s garden. She and I met walking the Camino in 2016.

Olympic flame’s route.
The sound of France.
Sophie’s home where marauding wild boars reek havoc.
Sophie’s collection of vintage garments.

Arriving Pilgrims – June 18, 2023

  • Portuguese Central Camino: Day 19/ Patrón to Santiago
  • Distance: 15.6 miles / Total 234.8 miles
  • Ascent: 1,635’ / Descent: 853’
  • Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
  • Weather: 66- 73 degrees / rain, light rain, overcast

My pilgrims who arrived today.

Erica from Barcelona. Freddie from Germany
Victor and Flavio Portuguese referees when not at their office.
Couple from Faroe Island, Denmark.
The six ladies from Netherlands.
Allie (3rd left) and Charley (far right) from American. Marcus (4th left) from Germany. [George from America and Siobhanan from Ireland finish tomorrow]
This camino stops here but where will the next begin?
Botafumeiro swings!
Botafumeiro swings!