Reginald Spittle's Blog: See my book blog, page 11

French Camino: A Day of Distractions

The air was crisp this morning as we departed our hotel and walked through the tiny village of Miramont-Sensacq. An hour later, we hoped for distractions from the cornfields, pavement, and the onset of heat that would fall just short of 90. We were in luck, sort of. Churches continue to be one of my … Continue reading French Camino: A Day of Distractions →

French Camino: Alas! A Zero Day

Our journey across France took a day off today after 12 straight days of changing countryside, dwindling fellow trekkers, and mostly scorching heat. A sprinkle of rain offered a day of relative cool while the trail led us over miles and miles of hot pavement on farm roads and, lately, through vineyards and corn fields. … Continue reading French Camino: Alas! A Zero Day →

French Camino: Ouch! A Bun Burner

GPS, tracking our every step, says we have walked 450 miles (including diversions) and ascended 39,000 feet. Today, though, let’s focus on what we have seen—and not seen—on the French Camino. You might want to flip through the slideshow before proceeding. This is an ancient religious pilgrimage, so it figures places of worship would pop … Continue reading French Camino: Ouch! A Bun Burner →

French Camino: A Post-Walk Treat

What to do today after a toasty day on the French Camino? We found shade and a curb where we shared a four-pack of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream (cookie dough and double chocolate fudge). We were tempted to ask the motorcyclists for rides to our hotel.

French Camino: It’s Not All Beautiful

The French Camino travels through gorgeous countryside and charming villages, but parts of the France we have seen have not been postcard-ready. Today’s last few miles took us through farmland that resembled fields along Highway 99 in California’s Central Valley. As has been the case nearly every afternoon in September, the blazing sun torched us … Continue reading French Camino: It’s Not All Beautiful →

French Camino: Rocky Descents

The French Camino has tested our footing for a good part of the 300 or so miles so far. It seems the steeper the descent, the rockier it gets. Sue’s photo from today shows our path, which was nowhere near as steep and rocky as some sections, but one misstep could still have been an … Continue reading French Camino: Rocky Descents →

French Camino: A Pause for Reflection

Our rest day in Cahors offered a pause for reflection about the path that is guiding us across France. For many we have met, the 500-mile French Camino is their Christian pilgrimage that has its roots all the way back in the 10th Century. The Cahors Cathedral is a majestic reminder of the religious significance … Continue reading French Camino: A Pause for Reflection →

French Camino: The Walk Resumes

Sue and I are still walking! Check out the slideshow above to see highlights. We arrived today in Limogne, France on the Via Podiensis, or GR65. We began our trek in Le Puy on September 3. Here’s an updated roundup: The stats: We have walked 261 miles and climbed 24,757 feet, according to GPS tracking. … Continue reading French Camino: The Walk Resumes →

‘Just a Regular Boy’ Is No Regular Book

No spoilers here. Except for one: Just a Regular Boy could spoil you by setting a bar so high you may have trouble topping it in your future reading. The book, by Catherine Ryan Hyde, grabbed me from the opening pages and, days after I finished it, I still feel its pull. Remy Blake is … Continue reading ‘Just a Regular Boy’ Is No Regular Book →

Injury Trips Up French Camino — For Now

Our Via Podiensis walk has been derailed by my achilles injury, which hit during the second day of steep, 1,500-foot descents. Seven distance treks and nearly 2,000 miles of injury-free backpacking ended with a limp into our convent-hotel in Saint Come d’Olt. The next morning, we taxied to the charming, riverside village of Estaing, where … Continue reading Injury Trips Up French Camino — For Now →