Wednesday 20th April - Alone again!

Once again we were up just before 7, only this time, luxury - a breakfast also!! 
However we were once again on the road around 8 am ... Firstly a 5 kms slog along the road to Jouvincourt, under a hot sun

then across quieter roads, forests, and marshland to reach Berry au Bac - a welcome tea stop (in a pot !!), and get a sandwich for later... crossing the Canal de Corbenny , 

and finally seeing a barge through one of the great locks!! 

Continuing on quiet roads, and into Cormicy, and the start of the Champagne region, climbing up out of the town on a stiff hill, we were soon surrounded by vines, just starting to bud, ready for the growing season ahead!

 
Then we dropped into Hermonville

Arriving there around 1-30 pm the normal end of a days route!! 

After lunch Simon bid a farewell (I gave him my Pilgrim blessing card from Canterbury) and wished him well as he zoomed off into the hot afternoon!! 

he was on a faster schedule than me , and had decided to push on to Reims tonight - it's been a nice few days walking together (and made accommodation cheaper!!) 

After I'd rested a while longer I also headed off, another 8 kms up and over hills and forests again, and diverting to the Monasterie de Saint Thierry - a Benedictine convent, where I arrived around 4-30 pm and welcomed by the nuns. 
I was given a nice room in the guest accommodation, went to the early evening service, had a nice meal, and retired early behind the locked gates of the convent - silence reigned !

 














Big birthday wishes to my eldest son Gerard, 41 today!! 
And 
Happy Retirement (again) to Mary, enjoy whatever you get up to!!