Sunday 1st May - Sounds of Silence

A leisurely breakfast this morning, in time I said 'Adieu' to Sandy and Peter who were heading off in a different direction to me today...

I'll probably meet them again somewhere before Rome!!

Then it was off to mass at St Peter & Paul church in the village for 1030 am mass... I found I couldn't get in to tonight's accommodation until 6 pm and so the timings worked out perfectly!!

 









A lovely service, with a really special point where the entire covers still held hands across the aisles during the 'our Father'!! Lots of sung responses and Hymns, most of which I could join in with!! 

Then at 12 noon I set off on today's journey.. It was cold, damp and windy...

Soon getting rainy as well, and so I had to get the Ponch out also!!
 
The first 11 kms was along the road up and down through the Forest, a good road, with rarely a car passing by!! 
As you can imagine though, it was a bit of a slog, before finally at 230 I arrived in Richebourg, having had some food en route, and having more sat in the playground... Nowhere else being open!!
 
By now the rain had stopped, and I strode off again and deep into the forest, for the next three hours simply following the red/white painted arms guiding me on my way... It takes 'faith' to do that... And no choice!! 

I was deep in the woods with only the birds, and an occasional deer to keep me company... Beautiful; it had a voice all of its own - I frequently stopped just to let the forest settle down, then erupt into song!! 
By 6 pm I arrived at Mormant, a hamlet just out if the forest, with a ruined abbey, my Gite ... And nothing else!! 
I had a look round the old abbey buildings

Before finding my place and settling in! 
I'm in a gite that can take 10 people - all alone - the owner Mme Annick has given me dinner, and left me to watch the sunset: 

I hope that tomorrow will be a little warmer, as I've further to go.. again!! 

It's utter silence all around, apart from animals... Lovely!!