Latest update

Well, I went to meet Bernard, the guy I met on the ramparts, and was invited to a rehearsal of a Baroque choir by an Irish guy who is a professional (graduate of RSM etc). Bernard is the President and they tour regularly. It was a really great night. The work which goes into the performance is immense and much of the rehearsal was on Handel's Messiah. It proves that "engage all passers by in conversation" is a good maxim. I tried it at the station the next day and asked a bloke with a pedal/motor bike if it would get nicked if he did not lock it. I got a 10 minute tirade of which I got about 10%. I think he said something like "it will probably be ok but you never know". I was getting the train to Dijon then on to Geneva where I am now, in a Youth Hostel. The city reminds me of the bit of London around the western end of Oxford Street and the lower part of the Edgeware Road but with a lake rather than Hyde Park. Very cosmopolitan with a strong Levantine/African influence. Not as expensive as I expected; in fact not much different to France. I saw the Alps from the train yesterday and it scared the hell out of me. I need to shed some stuff from the pack.

The last lot of pictures included the couple from Cambridgeshire who shared their food with me. They were a really interesting couple who had cycled from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego as well as having similar bike trips to India and Africa. Pasta, salad and a glass of red before settling down for a night in the cabin. Great. The big house is the "best chambre d ever" I mentioned and there is another one of the lady owner. Great gardens to sit in and really simple but nice food. Green salad followed by an omlette with herbs (eggs from own chickens).

May go a bit quiet for a week as I can't remember any cyber cafes in Puglia.

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Up country

Long time no blog but I have been up country. It is a bit like walking from Hereford to Tregaron. Great country and views and very friendly people but not a lot in terms of towns and accom so it has been very much taking pot luck. Over four nights I slept in a log cabin on a campsite, the best chambre d'hote ever, the floor of a tack room in a riding stable and the most wierd; a room in a hotel which overlooked an old monastery which had been converted into a max security prison. My room was level with a guard tower. I will post some pictures of the accom and the landscapes and people later. The trip keeps on being totally unpredictable. I happened to be in Brienne when there was a huge Napoleonic re-enacment thing on and I met a father and daughter who were from Dublin but lived in Belgium and were in the Grand Armee band all dressed up in the full kit. Landsdowne road meets Waterloo but without Guinness. I have also had my second really bad weather day complete with thunder and lightening which resulted in me having lunch under a hedge watching the light show. When you see big black clouds, the cows heading for cover and birdsong stop then the time for being the lowest living thing on the landscape is nigh. Mostly the weather has been brill. I can't describe how nice it is just to be sitting on a bridge eating bread and cheese and watching the swallows dipping into the water right in front of you. I'm currently in Langres, a fortified town on top of a huge hill, or at least it felt like it last night after 30K in the rain. The other good news is that I'm on the train to Geneva tomorrow to pick up a flight to go to Brindisi to meet Jill for a week without walking. Also found an Indian restaurant last night-first one in France. Food much milder to suit French tastes. Had a chat to an elderly lady who lived next to the ramparts this morning and she introduced me to her neighbour who sings in a choir which is run by an Irishman and we are all meeting up tonight. Sounds good fun but I need an early night as I can't miss the train tomorrow.

It has been great having Bob to talk to on the road. We walked to Trepail which is a tiny village in the Champagne area then on to Chalons. Bob's knowledge of the town came from Wilkpedia and noted that it was known for having a large glue factory. We found a beautiful town with a cathedral and lots of medieval bits. Yesterday we tried to be clever and take a train to Vitry and walk some of the way back and pick up a bus for the last 20k. In the end we walked the whole way which is about 30 so I am having a rest day. The photos are me with the lady at Trepâil and her son's keppee from the army, various pictures of me and Bob on the road and Franc. I like the one of Bob thinking about the possibility of travel by horse.

Clarification points

Couple of answers following blog. The motor home falls into the category of ¨other vehicles'. It was the biggest thing on the campsite while my tent was the smallest. The caravan in the picture contained the Ka of the owner. They needed a ladder to clean the windows. Secondly, I left Franc`s picture out, which I will put on next time I have some photos, and in error put one of myself leaning on stick outside a B&B I stayed at a few days ago. Wanted to say to Rupes thanks for the stick as it is handy for leaning on and detering dogs. Also thanks to Ellie for her support and the Dextro sweets. Off south today with old friend Bob who has come out to do a few days walk with me.

Still rubbish at the technology but here is update. I am in Reims, where the kings of France were crowned for hundreds of years. Feet now hard and having a good time. Many up and downs but going strong. The pictures I will try to send falll into three categories; cars Ive seen -for my brother Dave-places I have stayed and peole I have met. The people are some Belgian cyclist off to Campostella, Jacques who gave me a beer outside his holiday home and Franc who made me laugh in a bar when I was wet. Also see Jill and hotel owners after she surprised me by coming out for a trip.