Day 12 St Quentin to Tergnier – 12th June

Distance: 30.9 km – Elevation +130 m -150 m

Weather: Overcast/rain. Temperature: High 18 degrees

Today was going to be a long day if I was to be back on schedule after the detour to Saint Quentin and reach Tergnìer. I decided to make my way to Sèraucourt le Grand – my original destination for yesterday – and pick up the Lightfoot track.

It had rained through the night and was still raining when I left after breakfast. I found my way out of the city

I walked through the pleasant city suburbs of Gauchy and Grugies to reach Contescourt.

Contescourt was immaculate with closely mown wide grass verges with giant lavender filled flower pots. It would have won a gold medal in any best kept village competition!

and this was the man and machine responsible. Having just mown the grass he was busy watering the giant plant pots as I approached.

It was still raining when I reached Sèraucourt le Grand to bring me back on track. There is a British and Commonwealth Military cemetery here where 1560 soldiers are buried many of them unknown – it is incredibly sad to walk amongst the gravestones and to see so many young lives lost and with many of the inscriptions on the headstones bearing no name and just the words ” A Soldier is buried here”

I sat for a while in a small chapel – to feel the peace and tranquillity that filled this last resting place and to pray – it was very moving.

Now on track again I moved on to Clastres mainly following off-road tracks

I was looking for somewhere to rest, eat and tend to an issue with my left small toe. I eventually found a farm accommodation bridge above a rail track that was reasonably dry. So I sat and ate my cheese and bread and tended my foot before moving on.

The rain began to stop as I reached the Saint Quentin canal. The towpath is well kept and the grass verges were being cut as I passed. I met and chatted with one of the lock keepers. It was a lovely walk as I passed men fishing and the occasional walker. This final part of my day’s walk took me close to where I was staying in the suburb of Fargniers.