74.53km –10H41’
Altitude : 156 m
We’re not making a habit of it, but yesterday Serge decided s on his itinerary by looking at the map. There were two possibilities; the National 18 followed by the 58 or small roads intersected by secondary roads; the second being longer and more pleasant for running. Serge chose the second, so for 40 km we have been on wooded paths which lead to a few “cabins,” no “chalets” according to René and Eliane, at the edge of a lake and a few farms with vermillion buildings. Forestry is an active business and tree trunks are loaded with log grapples. We saw a few rabbits but no elk, which perhaps we will see further north.
Figaro, our cat, is competing with his master, since he has lost 1.5 kg from the normal 7kg he weighed on October 17. The vet told Brigitte, our neighbor (who takes care of our big cat when we are away), that it’s not serious and that he can lose another kilo, surely thinking to himself “that way he will look like a cat and not a fatso”. All things considered, Serge has not lost so much: Figaro 22% and Serge 13%. What a relief! And Figaro, you have to keep eating your dry food as well as mice…
And finally, Georges has told me that in France the annual average kilometers driven are between 15,000 and 20,000. He pointed out that after 20,000 a vehicle’s resale value decreases. If I draw a parallel with Serge, our runner’s value will soon decrease.
This evening we are eating salmon, which is popular in northern Europe. Eliane is cooking meat for our runner, who is not very fond of fish, except when his mother prepares angler-fish. Serge has also given himself a break and is walking with the telephone to have news of his parents. Serge is tired and his knee hurts again. With the heat, the arch of his foot itches and this evening he rinsed his legs and feet with ice water until it “hurt” as he says. Serge never does things half way, it’s all or nothing, hot or cold but never tepid!!