Day: 3 (Honfleur to Rouen) Km travelled: 102.45km Steps: 15,544 Croissant eaten: 2 (don't judge, it was a rough day!)
September 9th 2017
I arrived in the evening of September 8th to Honfleur and walked over 20 minutes in the ‘misting rain’ to my hotel, doing the good old backpacker “front/back carry” (my large pack on my back and my daypack in front: très chic). I awoke very early the next day with the intention to vacant my less than stellar accommodations and squeeze in a quick visit of the town before catching my twelve o’clock bus to my next destination. However, mother nature had other plans: it was pouring! Raining cats and dogs; raining buckets; the sky had opened up. However you want to describe it, that’s how it was raining. So I waited for the rain to subside. And waited. And then waited some more. Finally around 9h30-10h00, the rain suddenly stopped. I jumped at the chance (actually, waddled slowly; I was tired and cranky). Not taking any chances though, I slipped on my rain cover for my pack, put on warm clothes and my rain ‘resistant’ coat and headed to explore. The town was slowly stirring to life: fishing returning from the morning’s work out at sea and selling the daily catch on the dock; restaurants setting up outdoor tables, ready to greet the hungry customer; tourists walking around slowly, the morning’s coffee having yet to take effect. With the smell of fresh fish and fresh bread mixing strangely in the air, I walked around the pier.
Honfleur has been a strategic port since the 12th century. Samuel de Champlain’s 1608 expedition that resulted in the founding of Quebec city left from Honfleur. Its picturesque scenery was painted multiple times by famous Impressionists, such as Claude Monet.
Monet’s Honfleur
Honfleur today
Honfleur also boasts France’s largest timber-built church with a separate bell tower (thank you Wikipedia!) : St Catherine’s Church. At this point, it started raining again and I didn’t have a chance to visit it further, only spying a glimpse of this interesting relic. I did however, take the time to stop at a local bakery and pick up some much-needed provisions.
Leaving the port of Honfleur a starboard (get it?), I walked to my designated pick up stop, a random corner of a RV / bus parking lot to await the bus. And I waited. Then waited some more. Did I mention it was raining? Finally, I spied my knight in shiny metal and climbed aboard the coach. To my surprise and pleasure, I was the only passenger! I took to the opportunity to lay out my sodden clothes over the bus’ heather and railings. My pack, protected by its very own rain cover, was unsurprisingly dry. I, on the other hand, was dripping from head to toe!
Cranky and wet do not make for a great combination! I did the only thing I could in such a situation: I ate an almond croissant! Sweet nectar of life! Oh fountain of youth! Life rejuvenating magic pastry! Slowly, as the sweet, warm almond filling filled my soul, I could feel myself regaining my normally sunny disposition. I was now ready to greet this new city with a renewed fervor. After a nap and another almond croissant that is!
Nectar of the gods
Tellement in beau passage.
I’m sure you walk enough to burn the calories of the 2 croissants, you have to have your comfort food. The comments you made were very interesting to read. Keep it up. Thinking of you. xxoo
Oh yes, lots of walking! Which is a good thing, as you say, you gotta have comfort food!