Very good day today. I am writing this having a beer at the local tabac/bar. Have just eaten the most amazing pastries from the artisan boulanger here.
Mostly canal walking then road walking to the Medieval town of Ainay-le-Château. Which is on a different route cos I messed up. But sometimes the best things come from mistakes!
The city was enclosed by walls and a castle stood around the church of Saint-Stephen. My favourite Saint.
The church and ramparts still remain. In modern times the town is well known for a hospital which runs foster homes in the area for the mentally ill.
I knew the pilgrim refuge here was going to be full so aimed to get here early by 2pm. It was closed until 4:00 p.m!! The nice Irish volunteer hospitalario turned up just after 2pm and let me in early. Dont you just love the Irish. So I picked the best bed. Lower bunk and one with the PowerPoint!
Had a shower and then the hospitalario offered to do my washing for me while I explored the village. Amazing. Love the Irish even more now!
So nice to talk to a native English speaker. First I have met since leaving Vezelay.
Darn that first beer has gone already, I had better try another. They have been serving beer here since 1679.
One of the great things about walking so far each day is eating anything and as much as you want with a clear conscience you will work it off tomorrow!
Back at the pilgrim refuge with machine washed clothes what a luxury!