August 22. Homeward Bound. Our last post…until we return to continue our Via Francigena.
We fly home on August 23rd, rather than October 21st as originally planned, somewhat bruised, a little saddened, but generally in good spirits and looking forward to returning next year.
Rested the foot for a couple days in Reims but was determined to get to the Cathedral as I had not yet seen it for myself plus I had a candle to light.
We hope you have enjoyed following our travels, our pilgrimage, our triumphs and our trials, and laughed with us as well!
The Flag Pole of Doom! Accident happened here and I baked in the hot sun while Ken tried to get help.Please don’t yell at me for leaving graffiti. I have always been impatient with those who spray paint their names on rock walls on highways and was really frustrated with “Niki M” who defiled every single Camino sign (and there were many) with her name in big black letters for a 40 km stretch from Ages past Burgos in Spain. But I could not resist leaving a discrete little initial at the base of this flag pole, which is not near any walkway and is not likely to be seen by anyone. Will see if it is waiting for us next year.Poor rendition of the Camino shell. Bittersweet to see this. It might be a reminder that we could not finish but instead I choose to see it as a symbol of the adventures we had, the wonderful people we met whose lives touched ours, and how much we actually accomplished…and a reminder that we must return to finish what we started! We will get our pilgrim stamp here when we begin again, but will start walking from that infamous flag pole in Champfleury. The start of the Via Francigena in Reims in front of the Cathedral.This candle is for Ron Langel, father of a dear friend of mine and who recently passed away. A good family man who tried to bring positivity into the lives of many young people.Stopped at the “pilgrim help desk” and left a note.Peter, there are clam shell fossils in the bases of these statues…close up below.Clam shell fossils in the base of the church.We spent our last few days in downtown Reims…hotel along yet another canal. France can thank Napoleon for their wonderful canal system! We had to change our Rome flight to go home from Paris (the difference in price between a last minute August flight and a low season October flight was shocking!) And arrange a ride home. Thanks, Vern, for agreeing to come pick us up in Calgary!Cormorants are not just a northeastern Alberta bird!Lots of veg growing and the water is fairly clear…lots of people fishing.While I had slowly hobbled my way to the Cathedral, Ken made his way to the French automobile museum (he is a Yackimec, after all!). He could not understand why this Chev was there – a little out of place.A 3 wheeled car for one person. I could have this!A Panhard. This is one of the taxis I mentioned in an earlier post which conveyed soldiers to the WW1 front on the Marne.Would love to explore this house. A forest growing on their balcony.Our room was right over the outdoor patio. Did Ken think I wouldn’t notice him and his Scotch? And his beer? And his more beer? 😁Ate in a ittle Asian restaurant beside our hotel. Very good and close for someone with a gimpy leg..but also almost all restaurants (about 20 of them) in the neighborhood are closed. Because, you know, it is August. I am going to try to make “nems de bananes” when I get home. Best.Dessert.Ever!Rawley the Trolley has been disassembled and his parts are in three bags…and, yep, that’s an IKEA bag, only thing long enough to handle the trekking poles and Trolley handles. We travel in style!Goodbye, France. Going home to boys and cats and gecko.From London’s Southwark Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral in England to Cathedral de Notre Dames in Reims, France. About 600 km. Au revoir until next year.
Song for today! Alberta Bound by good old Gordon Lightfoot.
TerryandKenViaFrancigena2022 
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