Day 92 Culmont to Fayl-Billot
We have had a fabulous day today. We arose from our bunks and, after the usual morning ablutions, enjoyed a light breakfast before setting out for Fayl-Billot.
As we left the stable yard behind we could see some unusual conveyances in a shed. I know that these things are in use because one of them had been filled with stuff for a picnic. The people on the summer school were to be going out today for a trek and a barbecue.
We were very pleased that the authorities in Culmont take protection of important buildings seriously.
We did not have the canal to guide us today so we needed to do more detailed planning than before. The route was quite straightforward except for a section through the woods. The map suggested that there were parallel paths running in the direction which we needed. The paths were there, after a fashion, but needed enthusiasm to make progress.
We have been noticing that there are neatly stacked heaps of wood everywhere. I noticed that a farmer stacking his wood had an MF165 tractor more less the same vintage as mine. What a treat it was for us both to talk about them.
Fayl-Billot is not a large town but very nice. The first thing that one notices is that there is a basketry museum and a number of shops selling and making basketry products. In addition, the municipal flower beds have basketry edges and basketry statues. If you are a basketry enthusiast then Fayl-Billet is certainly the place for you.
The basket in the picture below is taller than Janet. Janet is not a tall woman but even so it is a very impressive sight.
Our bed and breakfast for tonight is completely different from that of last night. We have enjoyed a drink with our fellow guests and dinner out with our hosts. The room is huge and wonderful in every way.
We still have no accommodation for tomorrow night so now we must really get to work and decide where we are going and sleeping tomorrow.
Mike/Janet: See that you have experienced your first Gite D’Etape. I used these on several occasions when walking down the second half of the GR5 in the mid 90’s. In the more hilly areas, and hopefully less hilly areas, they are great places to meet people and enjoy a communal meal. General form is to have a sheet sleeping bag ( a blanket being provided) and often there is a large communal sleeping area or sometimes private rooms. Not sure if you have such a bag in your possessions. If not then a worthwhile purchase if you can find one. Considerably lighter than a kettle or hot water bottle! I continue to look forward, in eager anticipation to the daily installment. Bon Courage: Mattie.
A sheet sleeping bag may be lighter than a kettle or hot water bottle, but you can’t get a cup of tea out of it or give me warm feet at three o’clock in the morning (one of my little problems!) I don’t think that even you would have particularly liked this particular gite d’etape.
Mattie, as a cuisiniere of the haute variety I’m not sure how you would have coped with the abundance of diptera species floating about. The tomato salad was very nice but a garnish of flies is unusual. The dinde in a blanket with pureed spud was quite tasty although the presence of flies which had cast off this mortal coil added more protein to the dish than I am used to. We were wondering how you would have coped and Janet said that you would have had to organise them properly and get things covered up. It was the flies you see! The flies endlessly biting, biting without end which drove us to despair.
Hi both
Just returned from a wedding in Cornwall,we managed to be away for 2 weeks,and we have greetings from “BANNED FROM THE MOOR”.I could not work out whether the caller knew you personally or just as morris teams.Anyway glad you are on 4 legs and great picture of Janet as a borrower.Have fun and make merry
All the best COLIN
It is a wonderful part of the UK. When I worked for BT I had a stint down there plus, of course, we have known Great Western Morris for about 35 years, man and woman.
It sounds like a sheet sleeping bag is the same as a sleeping bag liner, which if you get the silk ones are incredibly light and pack down incredibly small (about the size of a pair of morris hankies rolled up, or slightly smaller)