Paul and Babette introduction
First things first – who are we and why are we riding our bikes from Canterbury to Rome?
1. To raise money for our local Rotary club projects in the Mayenne region of France where we live.
2. To map the entire via Francigena route, using GPS and detailed descriptions, for the benefit of future pilgrims.
The experience of travelling, as pilgrims, to Santiago de Compostela (2005) and Rome (2006) has changed our priorities and ultimately our lives – an outcome we would like to make accessible to more people. In 2006, our enjoyment and appreciation of the via Francigena was overshadowed by the difficulties of travelling along a route that was poorly marked, dangerous when it ran along major highways and (outside Italy) barely developed in terms of the pilgrim support found on the St James Way.
While part of the charm and challenge lies in precisely this undeveloped nature, we also recognise that not everyone has either the time (afforded to us because we have taken early retirement) or the masochistic desire to endure unnecessary hardship during what may be their annual holiday. But with sufficient support and information the practicalities of being ‘on the road’ need not subsume the rewards of stepping out of the daily routine to meet new people, learn about different cultures and quite simply find the space and peace we all need to think.
For these reasons, Paul and I have decided to travel the length of via Francigena again, but this time with the express aim of mapping every centimetre of it and gathering the information future pilgrims will need for a truly fulfilling journey – whether it is for 2 or 2,000 kilometres. Anyone who knows us either personally or through our previous books, will be aware that nothing ever goes quite according to plan and, true to form, we have no idea how this particular journey will end. Still, Paul’s determination is legendary and he has said that come hell or high water we will produce a guide book for the via Francigena, so watch this space!
Paul Chinn and Babette Gallard
18 Responses to “Paul and Babette introduction”
map of france | NBA.COM said on 2008-11-30 at 2.56 am #
[...] Paul and Babette introduction First things first – who are we and why are we riding our bikes from Canterbury to Rome? 1. To raise money for our local Rotary club projects in the Mayenne region of France where we live. 2. To map the entire via Francigena route, using GPS and detailed descriptions, for the benefit of future … [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Gy – Besançon said on 2008-12-16 at 10.31 am #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Etalans – Pontarliers said on 2008-12-17 at 9.01 am #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette by bicycle. Canterbury - Rome said on 2008-12-17 at 10.09 am #
[...] Click here to read their presentation [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Pontarliers – Yverdon les Bains said on 2008-12-18 at 9.22 am #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Yverdon les Bains– Lausanne said on 2008-12-19 at 9.01 am #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Lausanne – Martigny said on 2008-12-20 at 9.02 am #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Martigny – Orsiéres said on 2008-12-21 at 9.03 am #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul&Babette - Orsiéres to the TOP of the Grand St Bernard said on 2008-12-22 at 9.03 am #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Mortara – Pavia said on 2009-01-02 at 5.22 pm #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Villafranca - Ponzano Superiore said on 2009-01-06 at 9.57 am #
[...] We battled our way over the mountain between Aulla and Ponzano Superior to be able to offer walkers a safe and attractive alternative to the crowded main road below. Hopefully now we have a clear view of the right way or at least a known way, others won’t suffer the same stresses. Frustratingly, a couple of days later, we meet up again with a super-fit Italian couple who tell us that they just stuck to the main road as the mountain was too difficult. The Albergo in Ponzano Superior was an Italian take off on Fawlty Towers. With Basil being played by a chubby and rather senile Italian gent, Manuel by an Oriental girl that had trouble with the concept of menu, a window that fell off its hinges, rain blowing in most corners, but none the less it served us well…although it was 60 euros including a breakfast that we pigged on. Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Ponzano Superiore - Pietrasanta said on 2009-01-07 at 9.01 am #
[...] PP The maps we are using tell us that we should make our way from Sarzana to Pietrasanta along the foothills of the mountains. However, it is such a shame not to take in the opportunity to see the Mediterranean sea and use the broad paths that flank the sea and so despite the rain we choose to track the sea front from Sarzana to Lido de Pietrasanta. The convent in the main square in Pietrasanta gives us a warm welcome and shower for 10 euros per head. Our Italian friends manage to live up to all of the best and worst of our experiences on the St James Way – with the wind section in full voice over night and an hour of clanking and packing before leaving ahead of first light. Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul&Babette- San Quirico d’Orcia - Abbadia San Salvatore said on 2009-01-18 at 7.51 pm #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul & Babette - Abbadia San Salvatore - Bolsena said on 2009-01-18 at 7.54 pm #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Bolsena - Viterbo said on 2009-01-18 at 7.58 pm #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Viterbo - Vico Matrino said on 2009-01-18 at 8.02 pm #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - Vico Matrino - La Storta said on 2009-01-18 at 8.07 pm #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]
Viaggi a piedi e in bicicletta - itinerAria » Paul and Babette - La Storta - Rome said on 2009-01-19 at 9.10 am #
[...] Introduction of this author [...]