Laon seems to mark the end (maybe temporary), of the wide open fields where you can see for miles. Part of the reason this vista exists is because there are very few trees, except the odd narrow forest, the old covered rail line, woods along the St Quentin canal and clumps of trees on small hilltops.
Now we have climbed the first real hill, although not challenging from a walkers’ perspective, these landforms provide a whole different atmosphere. The hills are often forested, small fields are ringed with trees, and large areas of land seem to be dedicated to woodland.
So shade is in abundance, unlike previously where it was in patches, and from a walkers’ view it is much more varied and interesting, and surely would be very welcome in the summer months. The winds have softened recently and act like a huge fan keeping us cool on the infrequent hot days (ie around 25 degrees).
A beautiful walk today similar to yesterday with a similar navigation error but the whole navigation team agrees that the book was not clear. And my mistake, at the roundabout I didn’t stop a car for confirmation ‘cause we were sure!!
As you can see still we have not lodged or walked with a co-walker. This is the first time over such a long distance, so we have needed to be very diligent with our communication, and it has been a good challenge and experience in a growth sense.
After a bit of a roundabout, Corbeny has appeared and after trying to get someone to answer the front door, Corrie appeared. She had gone round the back of the hotel and found a way in, but no one else in sight. This is her second break-in now in a week so getting lost may be the least of our worries if she continues with her current errant ways.