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 →

Via Aurelia day 3: X marks the spot

Salon de Provence to Aix en Provence, 37.6 km About the only redeeming feature of today's marked path It was a long day, but could have been longer. I was paying closer attention today, and not only did I not miss any turns, but I identified a few short cuts which shaved a couple of … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 3: X marks the spot →

Via Aurelia day 2: who would have predicted this?

Maussane to Salon-de-Provence, 33.6km Statue dedicated to Nostradamus, who spent his final years in the city I was so engrossed with the scenery today that I missed a turn and walked a kilometre in the wrong direction before realizing. The GR routes have identical red and white trail marks: the problem is that the current … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 2: who would have predicted this? →

Via Aurelia day 1: into the unknown

Arles to Maussane les Alpilles, 22.7km Part of a wonderful old farm complex near Maussane. Arles is such a wonderful old city, with labyrinth-like streets, unexpected open areas with bustling cafes and restaurants, and fantastic roman ruins. But outside of the old core you feel that for many residents - and there seems to be … Continue reading Via Aurelia day 1: into the unknown →

Via Tolosana day 35: the end of the beginning

Saint Gilles to Arles. 18.6 km The Petit Rhone and the not so petit Rhone I feel sorry for those setting out on their Camino from Arles: they must wonder what they've signed up for. The path across the Rhone river delta is uninspiring and monotonous, with my last 5 km (other pilgrims first 5 … Continue reading Via Tolosana day 35: the end of the beginning →

Via Tolosana/ voie d’Arles day 34

Gallargues to Saint-Gilles, 29.4 km Large scale graffiti under the autoroute Lots of kms today, but the surfaces were pleasant, and the morning cloud stuck around until about the halfway mark, so it didn't feel too strenuous. The scenery changed as we moved into areas of large scale fruit farming (mostly). The other type of … Continue reading Via Tolosana/ voie d’Arles day 34 →

Via Tolosana/ voie d’Arles day 33: manifestations of bs

Vendargues to Gallargues le Montueux, 27 km Retro village sign with even more retro hut I departed the F1 hotel at the crack of dawn (well, not quite!) fueled by a day old pain aux raisins from the nearby Aldi and a machine coffee. The day was somewhat mediocre with a couple of notable exceptions. … Continue reading Via Tolosana/ voie d’Arles day 33: manifestations of bs →

Via Tolosana/voie d’Arles day 32: transit

Grabels to Vendargues, 24.6 km Artist's impression of the Arc de Trump and Trump equestrian statue. Montpellier, France Not the most exciting day of caminoing, which is perhaps why some take the tram from Vendargues to Grabels ( probably requires a change of tram in the centre of Montpellier). Lots of residential areas, very confusing … Continue reading Via Tolosana/voie d’Arles day 32: transit →