roving_rufus
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances (2013-2015) Portugues (2017-2019) Via Francigena (2018-??) Camino from Ireland (2020-??)
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I am delighted to be following you once more. Smart cookie, resting, escaping into shade, and well done on the brolly!DAY 2 So I have arrived in Montagui after 30km - and I stopped more times in the last 5km than the first 25km it felt- just to get out of sun and cool down for a few minutes.
I left at 6.30 on lovely shady paths following the river to Monnieres- and the joy of every pilgrim heart especially outside the CF the bar was open at 7am! And even had a pilgrim stamp too! (There is even a pilgrim gite here).
The next section of 8km traversed vineyards (and train tracks) but too early for any wine tasting. I arrived in Clisson where there is an old Chapel of Saint Jacques though now is a community space but does have a pleasant garden. It was market day and plus a visit to a bakery for my first croissant of this trip, so I am rather weighted down with food. Clisson is a very pretty little town with a castle, river, Italianate style church (with a tap!) and also an italianate chateau and gardens. It looks like a nice place to waste away an afternoon but unfortunately limited pilgrim hosts ( and be aware Clisson is home in mid-June to Hellfest -a metal festival which draws huge crowds)
At the edge of Clisson there is a farewell sign to pilgrims from the Loire Atlantique association and a very lovely welcome statue for pilgrims to Vendee. Now is a switch to a new guide, slightly different markings and a new list of accomodations. http://www.vendeecompostelle.org/blg/wp/
I did make a bit of a shortcut leaving the river earlier than the marked route. After a further village the route was on shaded paths between arable and pastoral fields - lots of bales of hay cut and ready. But then came a few kilometres of road walking which was fine but I was ready to take a break and couldn't find anywhere suitable. But moving onto track I soon found a shaded spot for a break. But the shade was short lived, the last 4km had little shade, I even cracked out my uv umbrella. I decided to stop every 15 minutes in the shade the last few kilometres- it was probably overly cautious but then again I was in no rush (I can only arrive at my accommodation after 4pm).
And here is the disadvantage of walking in France- lunch is early, - oh for a 2pm menu del dia lunch in Spain- so I am picnic-ing in the park, though French baked goods are helping!
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The lists are incredibly! I,ve used the ones for the Chemin de Mont Saint Michel for Cherbourg to the Mont, then the Bretagne pilgrims are extremely organised with lists and developing pilgrim gites. Equally the Vendee association seems to be actively promoting the route with a new municipal pilgrim gite opened this year in Surgeres, and have lots of pilgrim benches and picnic tables starting to appear - and a fairly decent list including discounts in some campings and chambre d'hotes.Hi Roving Rufus - I am really enjoying reading your posts. Thanks for taking the time to write. I had never heard of homecamper before - it seems like it might make this route easier to negotiate! The list of hosts also! Hope you have a good evening!
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