The other pilgrim arrived at the Gite well gone 830 pm on Friday night - a 20 yrs old Danish girl called Kirsten ... She'd walked almost 50 kms on this hot day, and as you can imagine was in a bit of a state when she arrived... However between me and the Gite owner she was sorted out, and we enjoyed a late dinner and a good nights rest!
Saturday morning we were a bit slow to start, but after a good breakfast we were off through Gy, immediately having to climb the hills, passing the church, which was open early
I was walking along with Kirsten and we both made good pace, as Besancon was still about 35 kms away!
As we traversed the hills and dales we passed these old Abbey buildings, out in the middle of nowhere, with the present owner greeting us!
It was already hot in the early morning, being 17C as we left Gy!
Thankfully a lot if the walking was between trees and so nicely shaded... I came upon this flattened snake - glad I've not seen a live one yet, wonder what it is??
By 1130 we arrived. At the possible end of a days walk, 16 kms in fairly quick time, even though there were lots of climbs... we had something to eat and drink in a rather posh 'double Lavoir' then continued, almost immediately bumping into a French couple who were resting near a sandwich shop - they had also started in Gy that morning..
We chatted a while and continued up another steep hill, then through fields and forest and by early afternoon the sun was really hot and burning... And we gasped our way into a village where I had been told I could get a bus the last -10 kms into Besancon... Wrong !! (I'd done 25 kms, nowhere to stop..enough for me!)
We had lunch, Kirsten decided to continue, up over another steep hill:
I said Goodbye and waited for the bus, which never arrived... I tried to get a taxi stood alongside a main road for 30 minutes, to no avail, and then 'hitched a lift' and a rough looking lad with a heart of gold stopped and took me right into Besancon... Even offering me a lift further away to Pontarlier... Where he lives and i walk through in about a week!! (I declined!)
I found my hotel, showered and washed my sweat sodden clothes... And relaxed a little...
As I was leaving for my meal, walking out through reception there was young Kirsten again... Upset, tired, couldn't get anywhere to stay and needing help!!
I let her go and clean up in my room, then we had a nice meal, and shared my big bedroom ... That's what Pilgrims do - look after anyone that needs it (I hope!)
So I'm now in Besancon, ready to have Sunday as me day of rest...maybe even relax!!
A bientot!!
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