October 1. Sery to Arcy-sur-Cure. 11.4 km. 3 barkers.

Another short day dictated by location of accommodations – we either do ~10 km or have to do 23+ km, the latter of which is no fun, with nothing in between.  There also doesn’t appear to be much for food on the way so we walked a few extra kilometers to an open supermarket today, albeit a tiny one. We then left the canal and climbed over the hills (😡) to the valley next door.

Peter rescued a pill bug.

We really enjoyed this small house but had to laugh when she was trying to show me how to use the pullout sofa. It’s the same IKEA couch/sofa bed that Scott owns.

I need these signs. “Our cat knows karate (well, maybe not Fred). I live at my cat’s place. And the cat is free roaming. If he shows up, throw yourself to the ground and wait for help. If he doesn’t, be brave!”

Bamboo across the river.

I love the random paintings on the walls.

Last glimpse of the canal.

Number 3. He can bark at me all he wants. What a cutie.

Thankfully Le Petit Marche was open or there would have been a revolt amongst the ranks.  I suspect for the boat people.

We bought a lot of supplies on the basis there would be no lunch or supper for the next two days and ate our picnic at the town hall across the street.  Necessary supplies seemed to include chips, pain au chocolat, cookies, crackers and a kale smoothie for Peter. You know, the stuff necessary to keep you alive.

The statue looks like she is trying to read over Peter’s shoulder.

As we were packing up, 6 people came walking up from the canal. We did the usual where are you from introduction and they were Canadian as well. One of them lived in Cold Lake for 7 years so we figure ex air force. Not often we meet anyone who knows where Lac La Biche is.  We were all standing in the middle of a busy road and Ken said half the population of Canada would be wiped out if we weren’t careful. 

They are using the same boat company that we are (LeBoat) which also does canal boat rentals on the Rideau canal. This immediately gave Scott ideas and he was researching as we walked and spent a long time making plans for us. Dana – apparently you, Michelle, Courtney, Andrew, Peter, Ken and I are doing the Rideau Canal in September 2026 with LeBoat in  Horizon 4. If he’s not working, Scott is going to come on as our personal chef (but we have to pay his share of the boat rental). Check it out.

This highway is very busy but we hopped onto farm tracks for the rest of the day.

Seeing the occasional red poppy is heartwarming.

Hundreds of frog eggs in this puddle.

Truly French now.

We were on the wrong trail and there was the choice of crossing the farmer’s field to the other side or backtracking to the haybale. Mr. HolierThanThouMorallySuperior was incensed that we would disrespect the farmer. He took the long way. The rest of us crossed the field. I can attest that no canola plants were harmed by Peter or me in the crossing of this field as there were lots of empty spaces. Rawley the Trolley, well, not sure he can make the same claim. It was fun watching Ken and Scott wrangle over this.

Knapweed.

Comparing Google Maps directions.

Arguing over Google Maps directions.

Scott wins the 2025 Battle of the Google Maps directons.

Let’s watch and laugh as she tries to get through this.

No problem at all!

These old drywall take great skill to build (I learned that from Clarkson’s Farm on TV).

An unexpected bonus. We thought this cafe would be closed. So yay that it is open. And wonder of wonders, a pilgrim came along!  We were the first she had met. She was the first we had met. She also walked from Reims and is finishing tomorrow in Vezelay. We asked her about accommodations and she said that almost all of them only had one bed. Hope to talk to her more tonight.

Le chat noir owns this car apparently.

Rolling around, looking for pets.

We were staying in the same hotel as Elena, a fellow pilgrim (and doctor) walking by herself from Reims to Vezelay.

It’s always gratifying to have a great conversation with someone new, especially a pilgrim. You always leave knowing you won’t see that person again but for a fleeting moment you have a strong connection because you are on the same path.