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 Tolosana posts
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
Via Tolosana/ voie d’Arles day 31: Gorgeous
St Guilhem is Grabels, 34.9 km It should have been less than 35 km, but I wasn't paying attention at the 31 km mark and I walked to the gîte in the centre of the town, when the gîte I had a reservation at was 1.8 km before the centre. At least the section I … Continue reading Via Tolosana/ voie d’Arles day 31: Gorgeous
Via Tolosana/ voie d’Arles day 30: rollercoaster
St Jean de la Blaquière to St Guilhem le Désert , 23.4km The rocks from yesterday's post, viewed from the other side! One of the toughest days on this camino, and while the kilometers are not outrageous, the hills are a challenge. Being my day 30 meant it wasn't perhaps as bad as for those … Continue reading Via Tolosana/ voie d’Arles day 30: rollercoaster
Via Tolosana/voie d’Arles day 29: a lighter load
Lodève to St Jean de la Blaquière, 19.6 km The slowest 50m of the 743,300m walked so far. Even death cookies are preferable! I got to the top of the hill before it started raining. Taking my pack off to extract my poncho was when I realized that I'd left my water bottles in the … Continue reading Via Tolosana/voie d’Arles day 29: a lighter load
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