Our walk took us along the Canal Lateral a le Marne, a shaded, straight gravel path with comfy benches every km or so. We are in the center of Champagne region. The signs of Champagne’s bounty are everywhere: elegant cathedrals, stately homes, shops, restaurants. The Harley Davidson rally in the center square came with well-groomed motorcycles straddled by pot-bellied, bearded men wearing Call of Duty sunglasses and leather jackets proclaiming: “I’m a Southern Red-Neck/Kiss my Ass”, as a French rock band played Credence Clearwater, AC/DC, Rolling Stones and closed with “Sweet Home Alabama” to a gently swaying crowd of espadrilles and Nantucket pink shorts. Dinner of roasted lamb shoulder was delicious.
Walking the Via Francigena 
When Hannah and I used to drive from London to Umbria our first overnight stop was often in Chalon en Champagne. Gorgeous as I remember. And flat which must be a blessing. Loving your blog. Bon courage.
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I get jealous every time I read your wonderful posts, but you’ve outdone yourselves with that walk along one of Champagne’s wonderfully peaceful canals, that dinner of roasted local lamb, and I’m assuming a lot of great bubbly to quaff any pilgrim’s thirst. Love and bravo/brava to the two of you. Jane
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Glad you’re out of the furnace and on the easy 28-km walk along the canals in the Champagne. Those Harley Davidson biker events and americana bars throughout Europe, from Scandinavia to Rome, show the reach of American culture – freedom, rebellion and brawling. Enjoying your blog.
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I look forward every day to your blog. Even when the blog chronicles the export of our pot-bellied, bearded biker culture.
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C’est bon!
Sandy
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Oui.
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Love your description of how American Culture is alive and well in rural France!
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