Walking into Le Puy, France

In Le Puy is where the most French pilgrims start, so I will meet more people.

Every day is laundry day.

When carrying a backpack and walking from village to village I wash my clothes daily, because there is not much in my pack. At least I never have to wonder what I am going to wear!

Sunflower art by passing pilgrims in France

Gite in Lauzerete, France.

Yes, this was our bread for dinner. Tonight I am staying at a gite, or hostel, just for pilgrims. We always have a home cooked dinner of a regional dish and bread. The bread will be the main part of breakfast, too. Usually served with homemade jams, perhaps a yogurt. Tea or coffee, then out the door for the day's adventure. Tomorrow it is 18 miles to the next gite, so will eat hearty tonight!

July 29, walk to Araules, France, 12 miles.

Salad art, the French way

July 28 walk to St. Sauveur-en-rue, France

July 27, walking to Buisson, France.

July 26 sketchbook diary in France

A couple owned a little bar, tabac shop and closed at 7 pm, but had a room for a pilgrim upstairs in their home. Judging from the photos and toys, it was once their son' room. But he married and now the grandson comes to visit. They shared dinner with me and I appreciated the hospitality. Unfortunately i walked right past the spectacular Roman mosaic floor well preserved in the middle of the little village without seeing it.

Here is a link to the moasic.

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Clonas-sur-Varèze#/media/File%3ALa_villa_de_Licinius.JPG

July 25 Sketchbook diary in France

The Romans built the trails we use. Pilgrims have walked this same path to Santiago Spain for 1,000 years. Flavious was the Roman conquered here and the first thing the romans did was build roads for trade and moving their army.

July 24 in France sketchbook diary.

My first day on the pilgrim path to Spain. This trip connects my walk from Munich Germany to Le Grand Lemps, France and where I started another trip in St. Jean pied a pont, France and walked over the Pyrenees to Santiago Spain and on to the coast.

(Backup) Le Grand Lemps, France

Walking from the train station through the town to path across France that goes to Spain on the pilgrimage.

Well equipped and looking forward to the days of walking across France.

Pierre Bonnard, painter, and authors once lived in this little village. Note the absinthe, once a popular drug.

Here is the road, to Spain.

Just passing by another manor.

Way of St. James in France

Mosaic in the big church in Lyon, France, of St. James and the pilgrims going to Santiago, Spain.

I picked up my credential for the pilgrimage at the cathedral in Lyon. Then took the train to Le Grand Lemps, a small town, to start walking to Spain.

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Had to use the restroom at the train station. It was clean.

Way of St. James in France

Mosaic in the big church in Lyon, France, of St. James and the pilgrims going to Santiago, Spain.

I picked up my credential for the pilgrimage at the cathedral in Lyon. Then took the train to Le Grand Lemps, a small town, to start walking to Spain.

Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Had to use the restroom at the train station. It was clean.