VIA FRANCIGENA Canterbury to Rome Days 14-15

Day 14 Seraucourt-le-grand to Bertaucourt 32K         Day 15 Bertaucourt-Epourdon to Laon 27k

Day 14 was one more tough walk on a hot day and we had to go 1 1/2K off trail to find a supermarket as there are no facilities in Bertaucourt.

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Cozy cabin in Bertaucourt

However, the experience in Laon was exceptional.

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We stopped at the tourist office next to the beautiful Cathedral who were not able to help us with a reservation for tomorrow.

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While walking to our accomodation with Madame Marie Tordeux we passed the Diocese Presbytery and stopped in and I walked up to a window and there were 20 or so people getting ready for lunch. One of the priests asked us to join them for lunch and this pilgrim never turns down that offer. There were young missionaries there from Columbia, Brazil, and France and were planning some processions and tributes for tomorrow’s celebration of the Assumption.

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One of the young seminarians, Adrien, gave us a one hour tour of the cathedral and invited us to join him at the 6:30 Mass led by the Bishop which we attended.

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Start of tour with friendly Adrien
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Assumption Mass said by Bishop

But it was the afternoon and evening with 80 year old Madame Marie, a wild boar hunter, that was most special.

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Sweet 84 year old Marie the Hunter with her Boar Head trophy

Her friend, Marie Terese, a Greek, Latin, French teacher joined us as well. Her house and garden were incredibly comfortable. The conversation was delightful, the food even better.

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Great dinner and evening with Mika, Marie Therese and Marie

Hearing Marie’s impressions as a 4-6 year old living in a house occupied by German soldiers during the War was most interesting. Afterwards we went upstairs to our bedroom with a view of the brilliantly lit Cathedral.

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View from our bedroom window

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It was hard to leave the next morning.

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Happy to answer any questions and help in any way.

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