Claret to Sisteron

I was harassed by a bear last night. Noone can prove it wasn’t a bear so I’m sticking to my claim. If pressed I’d compromise to a wolf. About 3 times I heard something moving in the bushes next to the tent. I didn’t see anything but it definitely sounded bear like – a grizzly most likely.

I walked the 26 km to Sisteron in the ongoing roasting heat. I think I’ll stop mentioning it as of now as it is going to be par for the course till Barcelona I suspect.

Sisteron is lovely I went to the huge Citadel which afforded this great view of an amazing rock formation. My friend Gisele told me about the big rock and she is right it is very impressive.

On a related but slightly odd note you will notice another much smaller rock photo. This one was by the roadside in a seemingly random place. The odd thing being that it isn’t real – it is made of fibre glass and had what looked like a speaker grill in it’s side. Any ideas?

Gap to an orchard near Claret

I left Gap this morning in the blazing heat. I avoid forecasts as it makes no difference really. It clouded a little as the day wore on but remained very hot. I have consumed 9 litres of water with ORS today.

Most of the day I have been walking past orchards. Pears and Apples everywhere not yet ready for scrumping but they will be .

Many of the orchards are being watered by sprinklers. Where the spray went over the road it was heavenly to just stand there and cool off.

It is fitting therefore that I am now hidden away in the corner of an apple orchard in my tent. (hopefully no sprinklers!).

It is very peaceful here. All I can hear is the wind in the trees and a bird singing.

Gap

Today’s cow is purple and in the middle of a roundabout. I think at heart I never left Amsterdam !

Hot as the sun today and I was glad it was a rest day. It’s a long walk to Claret tomorrow and I’m hoping for the odd cloud.

I now have the route planned to Barcelona and expect to arrive at the end of July if all goes to plan. This amazes me as I thought October prior to commencing the walk.

I’m loving the walking, the scenery, the people, everything. It’s quite a nauseating level of happiness actually. Sorry!

St Bonnet en Champsaur to Gap

Something clearly went wrong yesterday I uploaded a draft version but seemingly only the pics. This is unfair as I wrote the blog and it was was both witty and insightful.

I have had 2 great days.

Yesterday I was walking the Route de Napoleon a larger road than I normally walk but I wanted to say I’d wandered down at least a few miles of it.

Today I was chatting to myself and decided it was time to sit and take in the amazing scenery. As I sat there looking at the mountains by a river I thought to myself, “I don’t ever want this to end”. That is how I feel.

I have been lucky enough to see a lot of places over the years, sometimes at historically important junctures. This journey however has left me with an enormous sense of freedom and an even greater appreciation of time. It is difficult for me to clearly express this but I feel I am in a rush. Not on the walk, in my life. There is so much to see and experience in this beautiful world, I need more time.

Corps to St Bonnet en Champsaur

La Mure to Corps

I hope that you are not getting sick of mountain pics! The thing is I can’t help myself, they are too nice. My proper camera photos do the views a lot more justice.

Clear blue sky’s and a roasting day made today’s trundle hot but lovely to look at.

I’m on the municipal camp site in Corps and have just had my tea. I will be spending the evening reading and hoping a donkey nearby stops braying at some point.

I have been looking at the route for the next few weeks. The maps become very blue!

The hairs on my arms have gone blonde. It’s either sun or some hideous deficiency disease – maybe the first symptom was toenail loss! I think it’s sun.

Le Buya to La Mure

Again a big thank you to my friends Jean Baptiste,Sophie and Patrice. I left this morning and walked quickly to La Mure.

Not a huge amount to add really, because of the extra distance covered yesterday I have had an easy days walk today. As ever here the landscape is beautiful and a pleasure to walk through.

I am camping in Corps tomorrow. By the lake I think. This should be rather lovely and I’m looking forward to it.

I’m heading to a recommended restaurant now (thanks Sophie).

Grenoble to le Buya

Today began in a somewhat undesirable manner. I had to race across Grenoble to see the dentist. I have to say however that it was far from unpleasant. A very kind and proficient practitioner who saw me immediately and was merciful with my delicate chops.

I left Grenoble about 1000 and walked along a riverside path. Sadly this stopped abruptly at some kind of military installation. I was left with no alternative but to join a main road to head east. This was minus fun as the cars zoomed by in the rain.

I escaped the busy section through an industrial park. On the b side of this I found a nice cafe where a kind man paid for my coffee after seeing the walk info on my bag (thanks again to Bluestone Branding in Starbeck).

The rain stopped and I raided a cherry tree that was near the road. The day was definitely improving all the time. I was walking well. I found myself thinking of my preparation and the help I received from Francesca and Jonathan at Gambaru. My bracelet hasn’t been off since I started. This adds to my silly tan but reminds me about my friends who have helped me and their philosophy of doing the best that you can do every day.

I made it to St Georges de commieres where i was going to camp. There was nowhere to pitch near here so I carried on. After a couple more places i was a little worried as i was chasing the sun. Then I met my saviour. Jean Baptiste had seen the back pack cover and very kindly wanted to help. I walked to his home and met Sophie and Patrice. The four of us chatted as we ate. It was so nice to sit and talk to these 3 kind and generous people. I am now in my tent on the lawn next to their home. Once again I find myself reflecting on how this walk has reaffirmed my faith in people. I never lost it anyway but it is stronger now than ever.

Grenoble

I like Grenoble. Judging by the statue that they have made of me (see above) they like me too. I think a painting would have been adequate personally.

I went to the local park last night to watch a band or 2 . It was a national festival of music which is a brilliant idea that the UK should follow. Free music in public spaces. What festivals USED to be like, eh Mr Eavis. Sadly, in true Glastonbury style the heavens opened and the open stage was flooded. I heard 3/4 of a song!

Today I went to the Grenoble museum and enjoyed 2 hours in the art gallery looking at some amazing work as well as some total cak that only pseudo intellectual burkes could even begin to explain. I am going to add an unprecedented third picture by way of example.

There were however some beautiful paintings and sculptures and i really enjoyed the gallery.

So I head off tomorrow. First thing I have some minor dental torture to endure then off I go. I’m camping tomorrow night, not sure where, I plan to find a bush to hide in near St Georges de Commieres.

St Laurent du point to Grenoble

Today has been remarkable. I am worn out and aching but in complete awe of the places I have walked through. It took me 9 hours to get here. This was entirely due to the hills. But what hills! You can see the terrain I was walking in the photo, the other pic is a rather scary mountain tunnel. This was on the “prohibited” road section of the walk. This was easily the best section of the day with the stunning view you can see. The tunnel was about 100 metres long, silent except for water drips and the echo of my steps. I was happy to exit it.

It was roasting hot and the climbs were mad. I cooled off under a natural shower dripping over a cliff edge. It was lovely.

Coming into Grenoble was a relief after a long day , the city looks interesting and is quite big, more so than I imagined.

Anyway, I’m going for food and to try to find some of the music festival locations.