The Second Last Sunday of My World Run

Daily Miles: 33.20 | Total Miles: 16,314.53

I set my alarm for sometime after 5 a.m., but when it rang, I hit the snooze button and apparently turned it off completely. The next thing I knew, I woke up just before 7 a.m. I guess I needed the sleep.

After a cold coffee and getting everything organized, I headed downstairs. The nice young man at reception invited me for a hot coffee, which I happily accepted. We had a short conversation before I finally set off.

Soon I was back at the River Yonne. What a beautiful morning. The opposite riverbank mirrored itself in the dark blue water, and for a while I simply enjoyed the quietness of it all. I wasn't entirely sure about my route for the day. I couldn't find a path that would take me all the way where I wanted to go, but that's part of the fun. Where there is a will, there is a way. By now, uncertainty and ambiguity have become welcome companions. They keep life interesting.

The first half of the run was on paved paths, and I stopped every now and then simply to take in the beauty around me. Along the way I met Sandrina and Astrid. I passed them once, and then later, when I was sitting on a bench daydreaming, they reminded me with a smile that I still had some miles to cover.

By mile 14, I was running low on both food and water, so I was very happy when I found a store. I bought water, Gatorade, an apple, cookies, rice for dinner, and an ice-cold Orangina that I drank right outside the shop. It tasted wonderful.

After leaving the town, the path slowly started to disappear. It remained a gravel trail along the river, but with potholes, roots, and enough resistance to make pushing the buggy difficult. Eventually, I emerged from what felt like a small jungle and was very happy to see a paved road again.

Not long afterwards, I came across a flower covered in butterflies. For me, that's paradise. The glimmering water moving quietly by, beautiful purple flowers providing food for butterflies, dragonflies dancing through the warm air, and blue skies overhead. It felt magical.

I love butterflies and dragonflies.

Butterflies always remind me of the garden I had for several years. Dragonflies take me somewhere different. They remind me of wonderful summers spent white-water rafting, spending entire days on rivers, floating, navigating rapids, learning to read the water, paddling with big oars, and growing stronger week by week.

My favorites are the shimmering blue dragonflies that often fly in pairs. Their acrobatics in the air, the repeated maneuvers and graceful movements, are something I could watch forever.

Eventually, of course, I had to keep moving.

The rivers, canals, and waterways I have followed during these last weeks continue to amaze me. They are a constant reminder of how much water there is on this beautiful planet compared to land. Sometimes I find myself simply staring at it and wondering.

The final part of the day was hot. I drifted into a reflective mood while running along roads leading into Moret-sur-Loing. By the time I arrived, I was glad to be there.

I already knew there would be stairs on the bridge crossing the River Loing just before the campground. As usual, I removed the heavy bags from the buggy and prepared for the challenge. Before I could really get started, people stepped forward to help. One man helped me carry the buggy up the stairs, two men helped on the other side, and a woman carried the two bags down. The whole operation was finished in no time. Thank you for the teamwork. It was very much appreciated.

At the bottom of the stairs stood an ice cream stand with several people gathered around it. As I walked past, a little boy named Emilia held out his spoon with some of his ice cream on it and offered it to me without hesitation. Of course, I accepted, took a bite from his spoon, and thanked him. What a beautiful gesture. To share so naturally, without thinking twice.

Afterwards, I walked around the corner to reach the campsite. Once I had pitched my tent, I met Jane, originally from England but now living in France. We had a lovely conversation while I set up camp.

Then it was finally time for ice cream.

Now it's work, then dinner, and hopefully some sleep.

Thanks for checking in. Andrea