This morning my gracious host was up with me at 6:00 for a breakfast of coffee, baguette, and jam. \240Yum. \240She packed me a ham and cheese sandwich, a hard boiled egg, and insisted I take a banana to avoid cramping. \240How terrific!

The early walk came with a gentle sprinkle of rain that kept things cool. \240Along the way, generally rolling agricultural fields of wheat, corn, sugar beets, etc I came upon some cows. \240No big deal, but one cow in particular was very curious and followed along the fence line beside me, even kicking up its hoves in apparent excitement — it was as if it had never seen a walker before. \240Umm… maybe the cow hadn’t; I was waaay off trail, missing a VF sing and not checking in with my GPS.

I’ve not run into other pilgrims but did run into:

Maurice et christelle fayeulle

66rue principale

62910 moringhem

They are a local couple who were on a mid morning stroll. \240They lead me on a local shortcut through walnut tree groves, cherry groves, and along overgrown pathways (ancient Roaman roadway)for nearly 2 hours. \240The attempted communication was a belly laugh; even trying to talk about Clint Eastwood movies.

I clocked 16 miles to the Abby where I’ll stay tonight. \240Dropped my pack, ate my sandwich, and walked another 4km to the nearby village of St. Omer. \240While chatting it up with an English-speaking information guide, I learned that France has 95 Departments, that is designated regions. \240Throughout France there are different accents and words. \240She was quick to explain that the north (where I am now) is the friendliest and best!

The cathedral there is beautiful. Check this out from Wikipedia: \240Located in France's Saint-Omer Cathedral, the tomb of Saint Erkembode is continually adorned with children's shoes as an offering in exchange for blessings on kids who can't walk. \240Apparently miracles DO happen!

A walk back to the Abby for a simple meal of soup, green beans, and a piece of quiche served up by Sister Lucile (who sang grace before the meal), \240oh, and French wine. \240I attended the compreire (listen to a sample below),

Although I’ve been assisted by the other guests at the Abby by making phone calls for me, I don’t know where I’ll be staying tomorrow night.

To bed early; clocked over 20 miles today