RANDOM REST-DAY RAMBLINGS
Today we planned to buy new socks and possibly new boots - the grip on ours is worn and they are not as waterproof as they used to be. Despite the Internet advertised hours, the outdoor shop was closed.
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| Closed Sundays |
Next we headed uphill to explore the fortifications and old town of Briançon.
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| Overlooking Briançon, with the valley we walked down yesterday in the background |
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| In the old town |
There were lots of Italian tourists, as we are very close to the border.
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| On the way back down |
Proposed afternoon activities included a bike ride up a mountain or a nap, but in the end we settled on a bus trip up to the Italian border, and an easy walk down.
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| Start of the GR 653D, which we will be largely following for the next two and a half weeks |
We took the bus to Clavière, just over the Italian border, and walked back into France. Just before the border village of Montgenèvre we picked up the start of the GR653D. This is one of the Camino de Santiago routes, taking walkers across France from Montgenèvre on the Italian border to Arles (from where they can join up with the Via Tolosa into Spain).
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| Ceremonial plaque marking the beginning of the GR653D |
The GR653D has some sigificance for us - we intend to largely follow it for its entire distance - which is why we walked the first section of it today.
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| The path from Montgenèvre to Briançon goes mostly downhill through pine forest |
The walk was short and pleasant, consisting mostly of a steady descent through pine forest. One highlight was meeting an Italian walker who was on the 4th day of a trip from Turin to Santiago de Compostela. He was only the 3rd long-distance walker we have met in our 50 days on the road.
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| Approaching Briançon on the GR653D - fortifications on the hills and mountains in the background |
The path takes a very scenic route into Briançon, through the famous fortifications and historic town centre.
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| Entering Briançon on the GR653D |
Distance: 12.84 km
Walking time: 2hrs 35mins
Elevation gain: 240 metres
Cumulative distance: 1218.52 km
Wow, you guys are amazing. I've just caught up on 50 days of your trip. Love the photos, the effort and all that fruit you are eating. Keep up the great work. I was so inspired, I managed a 5km walk in the rain yesterday, but the scenery was nothing compared to what you are seeing. Since your youngest daughter sent me the link again, I hope to follow everyday...or so.
ReplyDeleteAll the best from all the Howies
Thanks Howies! We're certainly enjoying our trip, even getting used to the rain. Hope you're not getting too much rain in Canberra.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS on 50 fabulous days.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Still going strong - your turn next!
ReplyDeleteWe are looking forward to it too. We wondered if you may need to replace your boots, sooner or later, 1000kms is a lot of walking.
ReplyDeleteWe're going to look in an outdoor shop tomorrow. One of my socks has a large hole in the heel and we'd both like a pair which dry a bit quicker. We'll look at boots too as we still have a bit of walking in the mountains to do.
ReplyDelete