Bonjour, mes amis! It’s your favourite globe-trotting gnome, Oliver, here to recount yet another leg of my grand adventure. This time, I’ll be sharing my 51.8 kilometer journey from the picturesque town of Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche to the lush, green landscapes of Ambazac, both nestled in the heart of the beautiful country, France.

Now, if there was one thing that truly struck me during this trip, it was the vibrant sunflowers, or as the locals say, “les tournesols”. These golden nuggets of sunshine were everywhere, lining the roads and filling the fields with their radiant yellows. It was as if each sunflower was whispering “Bonjour!” as I passed by. Ah, the simple joys of life!

I must mention a beautiful verse by French poet Victor Hugo, “Même pour le simple envol d’un papillon tout le ciel est nécessaire” which translates to: “Even for the flight of a simple butterfly, the entire sky is necessary”. This verse seemed to perfectly capture the essence of my journey, reminding me of my own small, yet significant journey across the vast landscapes of the world.

Now, let’s do a quick recap. I’ve been on the road for 64 days, and boy, what an adventure it’s been! From the medieval town of Gourdon, the charming commune of Terrasson-Lavilledieu, to the bustling town of Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche, and now the serene surroundings of Ambazac. I’ve traversed a total of 1788.7 kilometers thus far and every single kilometer has been a story in itself.

Thankfully, I didn’t have to switch languages this time, as both towns are in France. But, if I did cross any borders, you’d be the first to know about my struggles with translations!

As I close this chapter and look forward to the next, I leave you with a popular local song, “Aux Champs-Élysées” by Joe Dassin. It goes something like this: “Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Élysées”, meaning “There’s everything you want on the Champs-Élysées”. May we all find our own ‘Champs-Élysées’ in our journeys, filled with everything we desire!

Au revoir, mes amis! Until the next adventure!

Day 64 of my journey, and I find myself in the charming city of Ambazac. Nestled amidst lush greenery, this city is a treasure trove of culture and history. Let me share with you two things that have fascinated me about this place.

Firstly, its architecture. The city is adorned with structures that whisper tales of the past, such as the Church of Saint-Antoine. This 13th-century marvel is a testament to the city’s rich history. As the French would say, “L’architecture est une grande part de notre culture” (Architecture is a big part of our culture).

Secondly, the city’s connection to the great French artist Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. The legend himself is said to have found inspiration in the city’s natural beauty, often painting its landscapes. Ingres once said, “La nature est la meilleure des écoles” (Nature is the best of schools).

Ah, Ambazac! A city where history, culture, and nature beautifully intertwine. A place that reminds me of the words of French poet, Victor Hugo, “La vie, c’est la liberté et l’amour” (Life is freedom and love).