A walk along the Via Francigena. This year we're trying something different – instead of following one of the many paths to Santiago de Compostela we are setting out on a medieval pilgrim route that leads from Canterbury to Rome. The way starts in the English cathedral city of Canterbury and passes through England, France, Switzerland and Italy. Its name "Via Francigena" is Italian and means the "road that comes from France". In the Middle Ages it was the main pilgrimage route from the north for pilgrims on the way to the Holy See and the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul. It is a distance of about 1900km and is still much less walked than the well-known routes to Santiago. There is also less pilgrim accommodation so the plan is to camp whenever possible. 2019 – we will be starting in Aosta where we finished last year and there are about 950 km / 600 miles left to walk to Rome. No tents this time as campsites are few and far between!
We visit Rhiems cathedral. Soaring hieght of stone carving, suberb stained glass old and new. Worth a visit.We visit Rhiems cathedral. Soaring hieght of stone carving, suberb stained glass old and new. Worth a visit.
The unknown butterfly on inspection of the photos by Betsy seems to be a Lesser Purple Emperor.
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It’s good to armchair follow your Canterbury tale.
I hope your Tarptent, and other tents, are holding out.
I’m enjoying the commentaries and photos – kittiwake, orchids (Bee?, Lesser Butterfly?) beetle, bees (swarm of) frog/toad, poppies (red, white) Lesser Purple Emperor etc.
As well as the Somme. I think you were in some of Zola’s Germinal territory – Arras is mentioned – though this is perhaps mostly nearer the Belgium border than you were.
If it’s any encouragement, on the map, you already look a long way from Arras. You have walked some impressive daily distances. My 5K Cannon Hill parkrun yesterday doesn’t feel quite as impressive any longer!
Belatedly, it’s good to have some feedback, Tim is working hard at producing a blog every day. We calculated a few days ago that our average daily distance is more than 14 miles (and some days it certainly feels like it!). The scenery should become more interesting in the next few days as we leave the relatively flat area, pity that will probably make the walking harder!