This is to be Peter’s last day of walking. Tonight we will reach Vezelay and a pilgrim rest day. Vezelay is the start of one of four nationally recognized Camino routes.
Off we go, stopping first for a breakfast of eggs instead of the usual croissants or baguette with coffee/hot chocolate.
He was hopping up and down on his front paws, too funny.
Random into a little snag with our booking for the night so had to spend time in this little park to get things sorted. I wanted this little puppy, so cute and wasn’t happy.
Petainque pitch (a form of lawn bowling). The sign basically translates to “no complaining” 😁
We decided to see how MapMyWalk would handle being spun on the merry-go-round. Shows a circle on the map. It doesn’t take much to entertain Ken.
The dog and cat are obviously part of the family as they showed no interest in each other but the cat did follow along on the walk. The cat showed no interest in me either. Snooty cat.
Autumn crocus.
Starting to see a hill with a castle on top. I hope we don’t have to climb it.
Pilgrim shell in a random tree.
This is actually a flower – the downy rose.
No optimal bench today.
But someone has their optimal chair…no names mentioned. I would ask to sit in it but I’d never get out of it! Nor would I hear the end of it.
Ken titled this “Gypsy Terry”.
How cool to own property on both sides of the river and have your own private bridge between the two.
We met an English lady named Lucy at this cafe who gave us some tips on where to eat in Vezelay. She lives here now. Well, presumably not in the bar but in this small town at the foot of Vezelay mountain.
The cafe was right on a main road and the trucks go whizzing by without slowing down.
Peter didn’t seem to notice.
I admire the resilience of flowers that can grow in concrete.
This is a Citroen Dyane which was an update to the 2cv. Terry said she could have that so more options for filling the yard abound! (No, I didn’t!)
Bit of a hill climb.
A Jacques of all trades, although he appears to be missing the baguettes.
You can make out the Vezelay basilica on the hill in the distance.
An actual live slithering snake instead of a flattened one like we usually see.
Luch from the cafe came by to see how we were managing the big climb. Ken probably lied and said “its fine”.
He doesn’t look fine!
A welcome optimal bench at the almost top. We went down a bit to get to our hotel. We always seem to end the day with a big hill. We are getting better at them, though.
The view from the optimal bench was spectacular!
Explored the tiny town for a bit. This antique store used to be a church several centuries ago.
Circular stair down into the cellars.
Lobstermobile. Photo doesn’t do it justice.
Our view from the hotel window. Not too shabby.
Basically a recovery day for Ken who really pushed his guts out the day before on the mile high hill. It’s amazing what a couple of actual good meals and just slowing the pace will do. Never too old to learn the hard way!
VF Britannica Via Campaniensis Voie de Vezelay 2025 