Day 12 – Trefcon to Tergnier – 20.8kms

This is the beautiful canal along which Seracourt le Grande lies.

This Via Francigena route we are walking on crosses the route from northern Europe leading all the way to Santiago de Compostela. Here we see the sign of that camino, which is the scallop shell.

Bars and restaurants are beginning to appear along the route as more walkers decide to do the Camino. This one was on the route opposite to the Gite in Seracourt, which looked very closed.

Time to start taking off the coats outside of Clastres. It’s looking like it will be a lovely crisp but sunny day after all.

We see some beautiful spring gardens along the walk.

And here’s some close-ups of these spring flowers.

And some long shots too!

A French housewife along today’s walk was happy to pose in her apron in front of her perfect Tulips that were out in bloom.

Here’s a wonderful sight for lovers of WIFI – it’s a closed business with open WIFI!!! We were able to read emails as we sat and enjoyed our picnic of a baguette and cheese lunch -again with only a bottle of virtual coffee!

We’ve passed many ‘ecluse’ (lochs) along our way today. Some are automatic and others still require the help of a loch master who lives beside the loch.

The loch Master’s house is heated with wood and it seems he has a plentiful supply for the years ahead. Lots of cut wood was in various stages of drying out ready for burning.

The loch Master’s duties are various. Here he is seen cleaning Moss and debris from the loch. We assume in late spring, summer and early autumn lots of leisure craft come along this canal above Tergnier. In a way he’s doing his spring cleaning!!

Here’s a large worm we found on today’s path. It looked like he’s been cut in half but it was still alive and moving! Perhaps this is what’s called a blind worm????