Sigeric never had it so good. Food, different types of food. Traveling in 990 CE through Switzerland, he would have eaten porridge, heavy breads, apples, beans and peas. Probably no meat, unless wild game. At the higher elevations, nuts, berries, mushrooms, dairy products. Again, only the wealthy ate meat apparent. There was no sugar, no …
Author: sabbatical2017blog
191. Resting on and off the Via Francigena
Sometimes a God-placed bench is restorative. I have been surprised by the number of good benches! I desire more than a good dinner and a quiet, good night’s rest. I want a more prolonged “down-time,” a more enduring, rejuvenating experience. Not everyone agrees with me. I know that Sigeric disagrees. His 80-day itinerary to Canterbury …
190. Wayside Crosses and Crucifixes
Wayside Crosses. Physical Markers. If you look out a car or bus window, you see many of them. When you walk, you see every single one of them. Wayside crosses. One author estimates that France has 100,000 stone, wood, or metal crosses. Wow! We are familiar with roadside crosses in the USA. Sadly, many of …
189. “Not in Kansas anymore”
"Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.” So says Dorothy. "Folks, we're not in France anymore." So says Curt. I’m not walking far, maybe 3-4 miles. I enter the last French village. “Wait a minute, that hiker with the guitar is going back to Canterbury!” I see the last French bench. I visit the last French …
188. Deviating from the Trail Deviation with Encouragement
Today is the hardest day since the rainy days in northern France. According to Sandy Browns VF guidebook, about 24 kilometers with 700 meters ascent and 300 descent, he labels the route “Hard, terrain and climb”. The high point of the route though is the source of the River Loue, one of the VF “most …
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187. Joan of Arc
Every nation state, and probably all religious or ethnic communities (think of the Armenians and Uyghurs), have foundational figures. Stories told, paintings painted, statues and busts sculpted. These are ubiquitous; they are placed in significant locations. Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln. Independence Hall, the US Capital, the Washington Mall. Growing up in Springfield, Illinois, I saw …
186. French People and Scenes
Besançon proud and shy baker Within a few days, I'll be leaving France. I want to post some of the individuals and scenes that I'll remember. The French love being outdoors, whether in the woods or in a market. The man is smiling even though I'm only buying one apple from him! How many times …
185. Recognizing Famous French People
Street Voltaire Each country recognizes famous individuals. Greece and Rome had their statues. The Mediterranean region, along with museums around the world, testify to their prolific production. In fact, when I studied in Athens the fall and winter of 1970, I mailed my parents a Christmas gift which I knew that they would love, a …
184. Walking Alongside a Buddha
“Butterfly, Its' late, We've miles to go with each other." Basho “Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.” Thich Nhat Hahn Many of the best experiences of long-distance walkers are their new-found, even if temporary, friendships. Because of the widespread practice of yoga and cultivating “mindfulness”, I’m sure that during my long-distance …
183. Schedule: Four More Nights in France and then Switzerland
Only Four more nights in France. Hard for me to believe! It is amazing where one step at a time will take one. Tonight I’m in Ornans. A small river side town that has plenty of hotels, restaurants, and outdoor sports shops. Think Cherokee, North Carolina. Wednesday- Mouthier-Haute-Pierre Thursday- Pontarlier Friday- Les Hopitaux-Neufs Saturday- Orbe …
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