Day 30/31 - Besançon

After 30 days of walking I've arrived in the beautiful town that brings an end to my first guide book. It feels quite empowering knowing that I've already walked 800km but a little exhausting realizing I still have another 1275km to go!!! .....which is way I've decided to take a day of rest and recharge my batteries.

The beautiful town of Besançon has some amazing views especially when you go up to the the Citadel, which I must say is to date the most impressive fortification I have ever seen.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my wonderful friends Paulina Robak and Martin-André Young for their generous contribution during my indigogo campaign and for their continuous support during this whole process. It's great to know I have you both in my life, thank you for your suggestions, comments and most importantly you honesty.

VIDEO #3

http://youtu.be/b43E-XnwQxU

Day 28/29 - Harvest

These last two days have been hard as fatigue is starting to show it's little ugly head. I've been doing 36km days for a while now and my body is giving me a little nudge that maybe it's not necessary to push so hard. 

Harvest is already here which makes me feel like so much time has gone by yet really it's only been a month. Funny how time can pass by slowly or super fast according to what we're doing. 

Another long day in front of my tomorrow......let's hope my legs don't fall off!

Day 27 - Langres

Located at the southern gates of Champagne and northern gates of Burgundy, Langres is a real fortress with 12 towers and 7 gates. Though it grew through centuries it somehow adapted and managed to keep all of it's fortification giving it the biggest fortified complete surrounding wall in Europe!

This city is also the birthplace of Denis Diderot (French Philosopher) and Jeanne Mance (one of the founders of Montréal). Though walking in to the city is a tough uphill climb, I'm glad I broke a sweat and got to experience this gemstone of a town.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my wonderful friend Justin Gerhard Friesen, for his generous support. Your contribution has made this adventure a reality and your friendship has given me more then you can ever imagine. THANK YOU!

Day 26 - Château FOR SALE!

After a long day on route I stopped in the lovely village of Arc-en-Barrois, where to my surprise I found out that you can buy yourself your very own Château!

Since during this pilgrimage my home is my tent this seems quite extravagant, though who knows maybe after I finish I'll find my self a little somethin' somethin' on the amazing website my-French-chateau.com ;-)

Day 25 - Clairvaux Abbey

The Abbey of Clairvaux founded by St. Bernard in 1115 was once a thriving Cisterian monastery. 

During the French revolution it was turned into a high security prison with extremely bad living conditions and no respect for human rights. Stories of cruelty from this particular prison were so famous that they were the cause of inspiration for Vicor Hugo's novel Les Misérables.

Though still a prison today, some parts of the historical monastery can be visited, which is exactly what I did upon arriving, in this now, very sleepy little village.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Christopher Endras for his support. Your generous contribution has made this adventure a reality, THANK YOU!

Day 24 - Rain, rain go away!!!

Today was the first time I actually had to walk in the rain. Which is amazing since it's been 3 weeks since I started my pilgrimage! Thankfully the skies cleared up quite quickly and I could continue on without my raincoat. 

At this time I'd like to send out an abundance of gratitude to the universe that has given me such amazing weather these last weeks, THANK YOU!

Tonight I'm staying in the little village of Soulaines-Dhuys which is to date the most picturesque place I've had the pleasure to walk through.