Temple 8 to Temple 11, 20km Max ringing the bell at T10 The host at last night's accommodation, Minshuku Okudaya was charming and helpful. He drove 7s to the Onsen via a convenience store so that we could provision for breakfast, then explained the protocols at the onsen and the attached restaurant. Wonderful hospitality! Tonight … Continue reading Shikoku day 2
Author: 2saunter
In 2009, we embarked on a one-year family sailing adventure aboard a Grand Soleil 39, "SV Mulan". Our original sailing blog is linked on this site.
In 2017, Susan, Andrew, Sam & Max walked the Camino Frances from St-Jean-Pied-de-Porte to Santiago de Compostella (and rode bikes from Burgos to Leon as a blister recovery strategy), and in 2018 Jack also joined the crew as we waled the northern section of the Camino Portuguese from Porto to S de C.
In 2019 Andrew, accompanied by Max for the first few hundred kms, and Susan for the Tiscan section, walked the via francigena from Canterbury to Rome. That journey is blogged in this site.
This blog is planned as an alternative to the endless instagram posts used previously to communicate with those interested in our travels - although there is a linked instagram account as well!
Shikoku day 1
Temples 1 to 7, 22km All smiles.... before the walking started! It's been quite the experience on day one. After many many kilometers of pilgrimage in Europe where one can bumble along even with minimal grasp of the languages due primarily to them using the latin alphabet, here in Japan you are pitched headfirst into … Continue reading Shikoku day 1
Paris mini camino
Susan and I met in Paris in 1989. This was our return visit. Using the very good self guided walking itineraries on the Paris tourism website, we walked more than 60 km over the four days covering the usual spots, but also numerous neighbourhoods less visited by tourists. Here are a few holiday snaps: Pont … Continue reading Paris mini camino
Via Aurelia rest phase
I met Susan at Marseilles airport, and we bussed, trained, then bussed again to the town of Cassis on the coast. It's a very nice town, and on the weekends busy with day trippers and weekenders from the big city. Part of the attraction is that the town is adjacent to the Calenques national park … Continue reading Via Aurelia rest phase
Via Aurelia day 9: interim finish!
Le Muy to Fréjus, 28.3 km The shiny bits in the middle distance are the autoroute. My route went to the right! The valley ahead is congested with the A8 autoroute - the main road connection between Marseilles, Nice etc and through to Genoa and the coast of Italy - as well as the TGV … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 9: interim finish!
Via Aurelia day 8: glorious food!
Lorgues to Le Muy. 19.9 km Sheep farming, Provence style A short but pleasant walk.... until the last 3 km! Pleasant farmland, numerous wineries covering the spectrum of hobby winemakers to full-on, grandiose domaines or chateau with giant signs and manicured grounds. The countryside was again dotted with retirement homes or summer retreats, and in … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 8: glorious food!
Via Aurelia day 7: transit free
Carcès to Lorgues, 20.6km Not sure what the locals call it, but it's a Kiwi batch or a B.C. cabin. No patio? Just put the table and chairs over the road! Fortunately a day of modest distance, made even more modest by some tactical road passages. There's not much gas in the tank, so less … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 7: transit free
Via Aurelia day 6: 3rd half
Bras to Brignoles 19.3 km, bus to Carcès ?? km There being no bus from Bras, I set off in light rain for Brignoles, where Google maps told me there was a bus the rest of the way. With my stomach ailment still afflicting me, 34 km may be a day stage too much. The … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 6: 3rd half
Via Aurelia day 5: another half
Pourrières to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume 20 km by bus, Saint-Maximin to Bras 9.9 km The view from the Airbnb. The mountains look grey, but in the sunshine they glow almost white! My Airbnb had a 1100 check out time, so I slept and dozed as long as possible. Being a Sunday morning, there were no Ubers within … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 5: another half
Via Aurelia day 4: half day
Aix to the forest 13.7 km, the forest to Pourrières 18 km by Uber! Whatever was in my dinner last night violently disagreed with my stomach, but I gave it my best shot in the morning to continue on. Thinking a small smoothie would provide me with some energy proved to be incorrect, and the … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 4: half day
2saunter 