Reunited with our beloved Canal de Berry, we walked along it for two days, from its starting point in Montluçon to St-Amand-Montrond, the place where it departs from its close connection with the Cher and heads off toward the Loire, later sending a side branch through Bourges to rejoin the Cher at Vierzon.
After days of hard slog on roads, it was a delight to be back beside the canal. The walking was easy, with no traffic and no hills, and the constant presence of water had a restful effect – in the occasional stretch which had been drained it was noticeably less cool and less pleasant. There were plenty of villages along the way for refreshments.
Nevertheless our days were overshadowed by the injury to Keith’s leg, which had been getting steadily worse for days, and at St-Amand-Montrond we decided to call a dignified halt to the expedition.
Day 28: Montluçon to Vallon-en-Sully
Day 29: Vallon-en-Sully to Saint-Amand-Montrond