With 22 miles+ to get to Laon, and with the rain, I was up early. \240The German spring up too and pronounced: “you snore”! \240Humm, news to me 😀 the price paid for sleeping under a roof. \240No time for distractions such as taking a shower, just a quick breakfast of coffee, jam, baguette. \240Rain gear on, head down, and off to Laon. \240My floppy hat keeps me dry — THANK YOU MARGARET!

No dilly dally’ing. Walk. Wet. Walk.

I continue to be fascinated by the ancient Roman roads. \240Which holds up better: the Roman stones or modern day asphalt, eh

The majority of the way is through agricultural fields, which beget fertilizer(here manure). \240Photos don’t smell, but trust me it’s a superb incentive to walk faster.

Lunch on the road always seems to be delicious. \240Today ham, cheese, banana. Yum.

Walk, wet, walk

Then … the price to pay to visit Laon is a late afternoon slog up, up, up to this jewel medieval hill-top village. \240Magnificent! \240A quick coffee to shake off the chill, a visit to the tourist info office (where Pierre got me set up for accommodations for the next several nights (whew) in exchange for a post card from Rome), and then the Cathedral and the narrow, enchanting streets. \240What a place, that avoided damage during WW 1 or 2.

Tired.

Post card from Rome

Pierre L. \240Office de Tourisme Laon

PL. Du Parv. Gaudtier de mortagne. 02000 Laon