The next two days have been hard going as tiredness crept up. The villages are quaint but often closed with no amenities. On the 22nd we were looking at a further 7 kms after a 25 kms walk without coffee stops and despite pretty country lanes it just seemed endless. Eating energy bars when you long for coffee just doesn’t cut it. In the end we flagged down a Good Samaritan who kindly took us to the camping ground st Cosne. We were all flat but the lift was wonderful. Camping ground pretty on the river but a walk into town for dinner was required. We fortunately found the lively part with restaurants close by. There are lots of pizza places in these towns! We opt for the more upmarket place and I have a hamburger. I was phased by the request for the meat, rare , medium or well done!
When it arrived it was real meat that had been ground. It was a bit bland I thought but still tasty. The local wine Sancerre was a very light white. Delicious. Karen was not well , just exhausted so we didn’t linger.
I thought we should get a taxi halfway to Charité-sur-Loire to give us a break but Andy believed the best part of the walk was the morning and it would be cooler.
There are lots of dogs who bark when we pass and they are allowed in the campsites, those are very well behaved. Dog ownership is high and one place we passed like a manor house had about 10 or so! I thought it might be a refuge.
We set off the next morning as planned but again few towns that were inhabited and no cafes or bars. By 1.30 Karen was struggling and I had developed a sore shin.
We decided to catch a train from Pouilly and Andy would continue. Karen and I pushed to get to the station to find it unmanned and like a bus shelter. We retreated to the only place open a small bar with no food but it did have coffee! While we considered our options I approached a young couple to see if they would be heading our way. I nearly kissed them when they said they would give us a lift. 15 kms in 20 minutes. The car is a god sometimes. They took us to Charité-sur-Loire where we set up my tent and waited for Andy. He arrived st about 5.30 exhausted and fully in sympathy with Karen now that he had to push the last 5kms. We all decided to stay in the morning to visit the town and catch a bus to Nevers. I would prefer not to walk 30 kms with my sore leg. A rest is needed for us all and this gives us three days. Charité-sur-Loire is a lovely town that is OPEN.
fleetfootkath 