The flat path along the St Quintin canal cuts through fields of wheat, corn and beetroot, through small villages, each with a Church across from the Town Hall and a war memorial to the side. Some have benches under an old oak where we eat mid morning snack, lunch or a mid afternoon pick-me-up as the walking day progresses. The heat started to set in making those brief shaded moments a welcome relief. St Quintin is a bustling town with an impressive 12th century Basilica set in a crowded square, framed against a bus terminal and parking lot, diminishing its massive scope and size. It has been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, most recently during WW1, the restoration from which was not completed until 1956. Interesting are the Knights Templar chapel with a genealogy tree that links Jesus to the Merovingian monarchy and a floor labyrinth which pilgrims have walked for centuries on the road to salvation, which we were unable to complete (due to construction). Though we did not have time to explore them, there are recently unearthed remnants of a foundation dating back to Charlemagne’s time. Tergnier is a dingy rail town, even in the bright afternoon sun.
Walking the Via Francigena 
We read each blog several times over. Pas de Calais maybe the poorest region of France and of course a battleground between France and England for a millennia. To say nothing of WW1 and WW2. We are leaving Umbria today for a very busy week in London. Walk safely. The weather is getting hotter. Love Parry and Hannah.
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You two are my daily reading now! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure, and let us know how your feet are holding up or if you need me a care package from Dr. Scholl’s. Can’t wait to catch up with you between the pilgrimage and the wedding, Love and avanti! Jane
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Wait a minute – you were on the road to salvation but construction halted you? Where was Waze when you needed it?? 😉
The towns have amazing character – and so do both of you. Sojourn on!
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You’re shrinking!
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The antiquity of everything is mind boggling. You are walking in antiquity. Contrast this to my a tour of the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg VA more than twenty years ago. I thought i was touring the “real thing” only to hear the tour guide say the building was reconstructed in the 1930s on the original site. I was in a “historic” building with period furniture that was not even 70 years old.
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Finally had a chance to start following. Hungry for more details! How do u feel at the end of each day? Any interesting encounters? Is it hard at all? You both look so fit and happy!
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