Day 10 /Reims - Recy / 46 km

Today I start the 2nd leg of my voyage. The next major stop is 300 km south and called Vézelay. Vézelay is after Saint Jean Pied de Port the major city of departure for pelgrims in France. Vézelay is known for it abbey and basilica.

The pelgrims road which will bring me to Vézelay is called Via Francigena.

After waking up I enjoyed my breakfeast in the youth hostel’s cafeteria. Either business was low or today’s youth does not take their breakfeast early. As I woke up at 6.00 I had breakfeast at early at 6.30. The idea was to leave early to do as much km before it would start raining again. Mister “Meteo Agriculture” announced rain as from 11 o’clock. 

After packing I hit the road. Or in this case a pretty path besides a canal. After 10 kilometer I would turn to the right to start climbing le Montagne de Reims. Not only is this the most significant hill (286 m)  in the region (If you take the highway from Lille direction Dijon the hills are quite visible) but holds also a number of the well known Champagne villages. Except  for the hill the rest of today’s route would be quite flat. Distance to cover would be 45 kilometer.

The firsts 9 kilometer go smoothly. Flat and no rain. At km 9.5 it starts raining again.Time to put on the rain gear. At km 12 I pass the auto route Jo and I take when going skiing. It’s strange to see the highway from the “other” side.

I the path starts to climb into the vineyards. The views are stunning. Some people are working in the vineyards. Workers use a sort of buggy to transport themselves between the vines. 

An elderly mans passes by in his car but stops. He asks what I’m  doing. After explaining I’m running to Santiago he invites me for a coffee. Which I gladly accept. When I’m passing the village the man is standing outside. His wife makes me a ham sandwich. The man, Bernard, puts some coffee in the microwave.  Bernard likes to make birdhouses.

After the break I follow the path into the woods. Initially the paths are fine but quickly the change into mud paths. 

By then my watch stops functioning and I have to rely upon my gps of my iPhone. I loose a couple of times the road and have to manage a lot of mud and water. I’m so occupied staying dry I do not take any pictures. Finally I exist the forrest and I’m treated wit a spectacular view. A greatt run in the woods.

From now on the road descents. By then, I guess, have covered 26 kilometer. Another 20 to go. 

I had planned to take a brake in the next  village but everything was closed so had to take my lunch in a busstop.

The last 20 kilometers I pas different villages but everything is closed. 

The weaather is variabel. Suddenly the sun starts to shine and my spirit lift. 

I reach Recy where I have booked an Airbnb where I’m welcomed by Jean and Marylin. Marylin offers me some cakes. Jean a beer. After a shower I try to fix my sportwatch. I’m unsuccessfull. Tomorrow I will call Garmin support and really hope they can help me. Running without a sportwatch is like running blind : no heartbeat, no distance, no gps.

Later in the evening Marylin serves a nice dinner. I start updating the blog but I’m tired after 46 km. I go to sleep without finalising the blog. 

Tomorrow I will run to Vitry le Francois. 37 km along a canal.Flat. A resting day.

Lessons learned :

- Less rain - more pleasure

- There are no priest callings anymore in France - 1968 is to blame (Bernard’s wife vision)

- Even top of the market gear stops working -I’m somewhat pissed - but I will survive.

- At Montagne de Reims it is mostly red grapes which are cultivated - further to the south white grapes.

Song of the day : Champagne Supernova - Oasis

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