August 18. Floating along and some decisions made.
We have made the decision to go home…my foot is only slightly better and walking the remaining 1400 km of the Via Francigena is not possible. We have regrouped and plan to return next year to finish what we started a month ago.
While disappointing on one hand, we look at what we accomplished….walking from London to Dover, cycling from Calais to past Reims, 500 or so km?, meeting some wonderful Camino angels, crashing an English garden party and being called “mad” by the local priest š¤£), and of course a private blessing in Canterbury Cathedral at the normally closed to the public candle for Thomas A Becket. Ken would also add his daily (and mostly) nag-free beers.
In the meantime, I will continue to post a few photos and will let you know when yhe last one appears. Although, much like the Via, I will pick up where we left off on this blog when we begin again, a year from now.
So peaceful.View from our mooring.The neighbours…from Germany, Italy, EnglandKen bringing home supper from Kebab Instanbul. A little hole in the wall restaurant but packed with people so we figured it must be good…and it was! Chicken donairs. The whole crew is out, trying to drive the boat…if only they could see over the windshield. Thinking purple loosestrife? Highly invasive in Canada and labeled a noxious weed. On the other hand, it could be a completely innocent purple flower and I will now be sued for scurrilous slander.Woot woot! I was actually able to get off the boat for the 1st time on Wednesday and walk through town a bit.Hamtaro and the Snax getting some sun by the weirs. Confluence of the river Yonne and its lateral Canal de Nivernais. Clamecy, FranceMemorial to the “floteurs” of Clamecy…I wonder if they have heard the song “the Log Drivers Waltz”? Note his cant hook…I had the pole of one in my office for years. They called it my “management staff”.Our hotel the night before the boat. A permanent bicycle repair station, as the tow path along thus canal is a national long distance cycling path. We could have used these tools, although by this point I would have been ready to throw my bike in the canal (but wouldn’t because that would be littering – a sledge hammer would work just as well!)Ken was so proud of his really stale baguette French toast…made without milk…but still pretty tasty, especially since I didn’t have to make breakfast!This bush was literally covered in these butterflies.Yes, Ken. The Deuxchaveux (2 horses) is adorable. No, Ken. You can’t have one. But…I can!!!A mistletoe ball landed by our boat so I could get a closeup. So considerate of this tree killer.Ken went to the beauty salon. Not sure it helped??? š Ken wants to know why his wife doesn’t do that for him? Wife: Eeeew! Cooties!
Song of the day: Trains and Boats and Planes…by Dionne Warwick.
2 responses to “August 18. Floating along and some decisions made.”
Cindy K.
Oh, gosh, Iām so sorry. That had to be a tough decision. From the photo you posted of your injured ankle, Terry, I would have been amazed and surprised if you were able to carry on, although you are clearly a real trooper and I had my fingers crossed for you. You guys have a great attitude. You did accomplish A LOT and had some incredibly memorable experiences and now you have more to look forward to next year!
Thanks, Cindy! We hope to start again next year, from the spot I took my tumble. And in the blog I post tomorrow, you will see that we somehow ended up cruising beside the Vezelay Camino de Santiago! Found the shell signs and somehow it made me feel better.
TerryandKenViaFrancigena2022 
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