No mobile signal as caamped by a river in a valley. Added this post later.

Spent the night about 4k north of Niort on the banks of the Sèvre Niortaise, opposite Chateau Beurre-Baillon. We did 18k today, which is good going, as long as I could stop Topsy’s boots and socks falling off.

Most of it was spent skirting around Niort. With Topsy’s feet, I really did not want to pound the tarmac of a large town. The GR36 took us on a pretty route, mainly on the opposite bank of the river, giving good views of the city walls. Obviously built to be seriously defended. We did pass into the centre of Niort briefly, and a lady at a bus-stop pointed me in the direction of a supermarket, as we were low on most things. So came out considerably heavier, including a pair of pink shoes for Topsy!

I have decided that the people who plot the GR routes have several objectives. One is NOT to take you by the shortest route! They are:

1. Show the best scenery.

2. Take the shadiest route, even if longer.

3. Avoid major roads, even if a longer route.

4. Take on points of interest.

5.  Go past supermarkets for food; cemetries for water.

So we did a big detour up the river, which was pretty. I got enthusiastic when I saw that we had been taken past a restaurant, but quite dissapointred when a notice said that they had no bar! Found a bar-tabac shortly after it, which made up for it, as I bought a beer!

Headed for a stream to camp for the night: Russeau des Rènards, as thought it would be good to have water. It had dried up!