Day 14: Reims To Trépail

In Reims I stopped the night in the Centre International de Séjour — quite a smart, youth hostelly kind of place. The price was reasonable, and the rooms small but OK, with a sink, towels and hot shower. Peter and I shared a twin room to keep the cost down. We met up with Ernst and Daniel later, and had an absolute blast in a nearby bar. I couldn't stop laughing. Though perhaps the laughter had a slightly hysterical edge after two weeks of pilgrimage. Sore feet and aching shoulders were really beginning to kick in. In the morning we set off alongside the Canal de l'Aisne; we'd entered and now left Reims by this canal. This reminded me of other cities I'd approached by canal — Birmingham via the Grand Union, Toulouse via the Canal du Midi — such a simple, direct and interesting way to enter a city. I took a photo of this canal-side Saint Jacques marker because Camino signs were so rare along the route . . .   

This barge proved that the Canal de l'Aisne was still very much a working canal . . .

Hey, the pilgrim life . . .

I'd walked across the regions of Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardy, and I'd now entered the region of Champagne-Ardenne. Of course, Champagne is known principally for one thing, and here you can see vineyard after vineyard of the posh tipple in its pre-liquid state . . .

The iconic windmill on the hillside of Verzenay. It was restored by Heidsieck & Co and is now owned by GH Mumm — famous names in champagne production.

And talking of famous names — I just walked past the Bollinger vineyard!

And the Veuve Cliquot!

Wine producers are everywhere here . . .

. . .  but the thing is . . .

. . .  are we ever going to taste rather than look longingly?