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So after enough time to let my feet mostly repair, my limbs rest so much they started to seize up and my stomach to be well restocked, it was time to get walking again. But which route to take? The initial return to the road was easy enough as I returned to Port Brillet by train, to finish the last kms I'd missed when I first came to Laval. But after this it was less straight forward. The logical and direct route was to continue east to Le Mans and Orleans, but several people had told me this would be 2 weeks of big roads, large open farmlands and little of interest. The alternative was a few days diversion south, to Tours and the Loire valley.
After another lovely evening with different couch surf hosts in Laval I set off along the river Mayenne, still with no set destination and a few hopeful couch surf requests posted online. I left the river at the abbey Port Salut - where the cheese comes from (it was shut of course and the only mention of the cheese was on a road sign, maybe it's not so popular here!) where I had to deal with my first proper rain of the trip. It turns out the waterproof rucksac cover needs to be 'waterproofed' before use - thanks Lowe Alpine!) Soggy and a bit lost, I was wondering round a town looking for places to stay or head for, when super couch surf came to the rescue again. A couch offer in the nearby village of La Cropte and the ball was rolling again.
From here on I pretty much let my couch hosts dictate my route. How could i not? Over the next few days I was again welcomed by warming fires, having my rain soaked clothes and bag dried, enjoying good food, great company, eye-wateringly strong eastern european spirits and route advice about what to see and where. I was also rescued from an expensive night in a grotty hotel when I was too far from the next town. The weather was a mix of unseasonally warm sunshine, sporadic hail storms, torrential rain and cold greyness, but each night I had a warm and dry place to sleep. Even including a mini tour of the city of Le Mans and a drive around a bit of the track one evening. Aside from the shelter each night I am loving couch surfing for the people I meet and get to share a little bit of my trip with every night.
There were the first signs of spring along this section too. Daffodils, lambs in the fields (including an actual sole black sheep in a group of dozens), red squirrels with their brilliant fur quiffs out of hibernation. Plus foot long worms trying to cross the wet roads, a couple of wallabees and some water mamal that I managed to capture on video but don't really know what it is!
The final day to Tours was going pretty well as I stopped by a boulangerie for my lunch time baguette. I had 1 juicy blister on the inside of my left foot that I was hoping to nurse to the city before I delt with it. But as i stepped out of the boulangerie, ready to enjoy my still warm, fresh bread - I felt the blister burst and my sock getting wet! I hobbled out of town to find somewhere respectable to deal with it and made some repairs. It had ruined my feel good lunch though.
I'm now in Tours, having a slightly longer stay than I planned due to the brace now attached to my left hand to immobilise my thumb. How ironic that as a couch surfer - I pull the ligaments really badly in my thumb moving a couch! This has created the problem that I can't haul my bag onto my back, and whilst I'd happily leave the over-weight, legless oaf behind, I do kind of need the things in it. Hopefully I can get going again tomorrow, I'll just have to see how the weight lifting snatch moves are later.
Not that I am really that bothered. I've had a great time here with my host and her friends; live music (it had been ages since I'd seen a band - punk metal or not), slap up dinner, big social house moving, (when I did my thumb) beautiful weather for wandering around the city and the opportunity to share some of the ups and downs of solo travelling and life in your early 30's. It's not all fresh air and amazing sights you know! Spending time with a close group of friends has made me miss mine in the last few days.
I hope you're all well and not having too much fun without me. Top of the wanted list at the moment is a Pasty, Rattler and probably some chips, also known as a Sunday in the pub, which would inevitably end up in some drunken hugs too! Love to you all till next time x
- comments
Holly FORTY FIIIIIVE!
John Bampini On the whole it all sounds pretty cool for you, blisters and injuries aside, not much happening here in Kernow at present, so wouldn't fret about missing out on anything. Much love as always. x
Indybobs Im in falmouth and have just read your blog to a poorly jones in a blanky on the sofa, like a bedtime story to a child! highlights..we like the feel good lunch blister explosion story and that you have met nice peeps but that you miss us more, cos we miss you too xxxxxxxxxxxxxx