I am used to the idea of continental breakfasts, and even drinking tea or coffee out of a bowl, but I think this was my first experience of dunking: spreading butter and jam on a slice of bread, or in this case toast,and then dipping it I one’s drink of choice. I found this so complicated thatthe coffee was cold by the time I had finished the toast. Well, I suppose, practice makes perfect.
After a discussion about the weather forecast (warning of extreme heat), the condition of the path over the aqueduct, and lack of shops and bars, Philippe drove me, first to the Mairie for his official stamp, then to a hilltop Church with a wonderful view, and finally a point where I could join the aqueduct a morning’s walk from Champigny.
My resting-places in the shade are so delightful that I don’t want to leave them. The path on top of the aqueduct was good, too: reasonably level and easy to follow, and the grass had been cut.
I reached Champigny as the church clock struck 12:30. The church was closed but a small shop was open, and the couple who owned it very kindly allowed me to eat the ice cream and drink the mineral water I had bought in the porch of their home.
It wasn’t much further to the hotel-restaurant I had booked for the night, where I am now enjoying a Pelican, which I think is a cherry beer, served draft. This could become a habit!
A restful afternoon, then a dinner of salad buffet, couscous, ice cream and another Pelican. Good transport café food at a good price, 16 euros plus 4 for the Pelican. The downside of transport cafés is the location, on or just off main roads busy through the night. Still, rest for the body if not for the head.
emeritablog: life after work 