Day 269 – EU – France [Germigny des Pres to Orleans]

29/12/20

31.7km

  From Germigny des Pres (France) to Orleans (France)

Europe

A shorter run with awesome company again, arriving in Orleans with Gluhwein and a Cotignac treat

Since the publication in the local paper of an article regarding my crossing of the region, I have been surprised by cars slowing down as they pass me and wishing me best of luck. I found this really kind and it happened again twice at dawn today as I left Germigny. I quickly made my way to the pedestrian pathways alongside the River Loire and it was beautiful to be there at dawn.

About 15km into the run, I met Justine and Aurelien, two keen and very accomplished runners, who had contacted me following the article. They took me on their favorite paths and trails, away from the main road which I was keen to avoid too. It was beautiful. A few kilometers later, we met Catherine (on foot) and Thierry (on bike) who joined us and we ran all the way to Orleans, along the river banks. Joyous and bubbly! We all agreed to meet again on Thursday, they will run or cycle with me for the first few kilometers out of Orleans.

Having been on the road for one year already (with the Covid interruptions of course) I am heading towards 10,000km now, I am a lot more ready to share my journey and very happy to meet people on the road. I learn a lot more about the regions I cross. Today my companions were telling me tales of Joan of Arc, we ran past the house where she lived, her statue, the cathedral and other landmarks of Orleans. My running pace is “conversational” and it makes it very easy to share stories.

As we arrived in Orleans I asked about the culinary tradition of the town. The answer came: the “Cotignac”! It’s one of these caramel sorts of sweet that is baked directly in a little wooden box. You get to lick it till it’s cleaned, and then you get yourself a nice little box! Catherine treated us all to a Cotignac, whilst Aurelien bought us all a round of Gluhwein to warm up after what has been another pretty cold day on the road ?

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: