A hint of days to come
A cold night and an early start. Today is a long-ish day, made longer as we had to drive back to Arras to drop off the hire car.
The politest car ever.
Today is Monday and tomorrow is Bastille day so we had no expectation of finding anything en-route. Just as well as we saw nothing, open or shut, anywhere from Arras to Bapaume. Luckily we grabbed breakfast, charged everything and got some food to go opposite Arras station. Good coffee too.
War memorial at Arras station.
Today's date: 13.7.20
Weather: clear skies and sunny
Steps: 39,940
Distance: 27.2 km
Climbing: 197m
Once we had left Arras the terrain was very open and flat. We passed our first cemetery of the day. They are all amazingly neat and well kept. They have visitor's books and the details of who is buried there. Somebody needs to be applauded for doing a great job.
At Boisleux-au-Mont we passed a little chapel, much photographed by other pilgrims. It has a pilgrim register, and I counted only 6 entries before us this year. One pilgrim signed just 2 hours before we arrived.
We had our packed lunch at Boisleux-Saint-Marc. The day became very warm but fortunately the first stretch after lunch ran through woodland.
It wasn't an easy stretch as we both had bare legs and the path was covered in nettles. There was also a water hazard.
The path opened out into open fields and the afternoon was a long walk with little shade.
There were wind turbines as far as one could see in every direction. There were 72 visible from this spot.
Beyond the windmills there was little to see, though I thought I saw Mary Poppins in the distance.
At Gomiecourt we refilled our water from a tap in the cemetery. If we are dead tomorrow, Mrs M was right and the water did taste funny.
We rested one last time at the cemetery near Sapignies before the final trek into Bapaume.
A quick shop for supplies and then we grabbed a lift back to Peronne. We seem to have a lot of food, but it needs to last us a few days.
Camping Le Brochet
We are still on the same pitch, but have spread our clutter to the bays either side and have also grabbed the only picnic bench. Our neighbours are all new and we are tuning in to the wonders of caravans. One earlier had an electric motor and was parking itself by remote control.
Our tent, still standing after 24 hours! It is forecast to rain tomorrow and it will be the longest stage so far.
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