Day 24 Bar sur Aube to Longchamps sur Aujon – 24th June

Distance: 17.6 km – Elevation +260 m -230 m

Weather: Sunny intervals. Temperature: High 21 degrees

I slept well in the small, cheapish but well run hotel. It was seemingly run single handed by a delightful middle aged man impeccably dressed who spoke very good English.

After a good breakfast and with no pain from my back I started walking just before nine, crossing the river Aube as I left the town

I  passed through the beautiful small town of Baroville surrounded by vineyards

before finding myself walking through forests

The forest roads were like a roller coaster with lots of uphill and downhill – I was feeling happy and relaxed and saw only a lone horse rider. I stopped for lunch by the side of one of the forest paths

It was as I approached Clairvaux that I first noticed a hint of pain in the top of my left foot.

I passed by and visited Clairvaux Abbey, a once thriving monastic community but now part of which is used as high security prison- Carlos the Jackal is one of the inmates

As I walked on to my bed for the night I was accompanied part of the way by this little lizard

I had arranged to stay in a gite for a very reasonable 30 euros inc breakfast