Départ et recupération des satellites pour la montre Garmin

Arrimage de la remorque par Daniel

Un moment tendresse et une pensée pour notre chienne terre-neuve Nil

Route touristique de Champagne

D11 – 68.9Km

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28
BRAGELOGNE – Intersection D105/D65 (Haute-Marne)
68.9km – 11H47′

(The waybill to be found under the header News, then  Itinerary in France)

We haven’t escaped the wave of snow that has paralyzed France but the 12 cm of powder that fell during the night didn’t keep Serge from setting out this morning at 7H30.  The temperature is -5°C. 

We aren’t following the tracks of the abominable snowman but those of Serge.

Daniel has put chains on the camper because these are now necessary on the roads we are taking this morning.  We learned that this was the road followed by the pilgrims on their way to Saint-Jacques of Compostelle.  Even though we are in the Champagne region old buildings and farms, with their typical arched doorways, are made of the ochre colored Burgundian stone. 

Serge is running in shoes for all terrain, which are thicker and give better support.  The soles are slightly notched, which increases adherence in the snow.  His speed is reduced because footing is uncertain on these small, hilly roads, which are dotted by magnificent forests, now blanketed in white.

At 12H00 he reaches Essoyes in the Aube department.  This is the family seat of the painter Auguste Renoir. 

It’s time for me to introduce Daniel and his wife, Arlette, who will be with us until Munich.  Daniel is the president of the Beuzeville Cycling and Walking Club of Beuzeville-la-Grenier in Seine Maritime.  Both are young  retirees who love adventure, trekking and running and Daniel has done a few important trails, of which the Marathon des Sables. The pace is now established for our two new travel companions.

This stage will end in the Haute-Marne near Chaumont.  The mercury does not budge and the temperature has trouble reaching 0°C. No improvement is announced for the coming days. 

Serge does not seem to suffer from the cold: he is wearing gloves, a hat and scarf, a wind breaker and a rain jacket.

You may ask  why we chose to leave at this time of year?  It has to do with the rest of the trip because Iran and Uzbekistan will become ovens starting in June and there is easy access to Tibet only from May to September. 

Serge finished this stage walking from Villars-en-Azois.  At night the very slippery road made his progress difficult but as Serge said “we saved the day!”

Till tomorrow.