Rain=No Sun=No solar electricity=mobile dies =No map!

Tramped the 20k from Domfront to Bagnoles de l’Orme mainly in the rain.

Luckily this was a dead straight forestry/Romania road, so navigating not a problem with the GR Red & White splashes of paint on the trees. Made good time and arrived about 2PM. Moment of panic at Tourist Information, as I realised that my solar panels had fallen off the back of my pack: along with my mobile! Abandoned the dogs, and ran half a mile back to the bottom of the path from Roc de Chien (a vantage point), and found it! The thought of navigating across the rest of France without a map was devastating.

Stocked up and headed out of town to a gîte d’étape at le Priéuré de St-Ortaire recommended by a walker I had met on the trail, Jean-Christophe. A charming church and equally charming friars; Pere Roch André and Pere George. Roch was Canadian and had worked as a missionary ( very delicately!) in war-torn Zaire, where 16 year olds carried Kalasnukoffs. George’ family had originated from Northern Ireland!

• Had the first shower in 10 says and the first night in a bed for 14! Did not sleep well! Perhaps it was the first taste of coffee in 4 days and the caffeine travelling a course in my brain that my brain had forgotten!