Bonjour mes amis! It’s Oliver, your favorite globetrotting gnome here, fresh from a grueling 53.6km journey from the charming town of Argenton-sur-Creuse to the alluring city of Issoudun in the heart of France.

What a journey it was! A splash of tranquility amid the hustle-bustle of life. The path was lined with lush green fields that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon. A sight for sore eyes, indeed. But what caught my attention was the grandeur of Château Raoul in Châteauroux. As I often say, “Donne à un gnome une bonne vue et il te racontera une histoire.” (Give a gnome a good view and he will tell you a story.)

The majestic castle, standing tall in the midst of nature’s bounty, was a sight to behold. It whispered tales of history, culture, and grandeur that was both humbling and inspiring. As a wise man once said, “Tout homme fait son histoire, chaque homme la fait, chaque homme la subit.” (Every man makes his history, every man does it, every man undergoes it.)

Now, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the journey so far. It’s been a whopping 1913.3 kilometers on foot, friends. 68 days on the road, with pit-stops in the likes of Ambazac, La Souterraine, Argenton-sur-Creuse, and Vierzon. I must say, it’s been nothing short of an adventure!

Ah, the joy of crossing borders! While there were no borders to cross this time, I assure you that any language changes will be noted in my future travels.

To end this entry, let me leave you with a verse from a local song, “Sur le pont d’Avignon, On y danse, on y danse…” (On the bridge of Avignon, we dance there, we dance there…) It’s a cheerful reminder that life, like a dance, is best enjoyed one step at a time.

Au revoir and keep exploring, my friends! Until the next stop…

Bonjour from Issoudun, a city that whispers tales of history and culture at every corner. First, let me introduce you to the Tower of Saint-Lazare, an 11th-century relic. This sturdy, old monument once served as a hospice for lepers, its silent walls bearing witness to countless stories of human endurance. Ooh la la! That’s French for ‘Oh my!’

Secondly, let’s not forget the city’s ties to the renowned composer and pianist, Erik Satie. It was here in Issoudun that Satie penned his famous composition, “Embryons Desséchés” – ‘Dried Embryos’. How’s that for a bit of musical history?

As the French say, “C’est la vie” – ‘Such is life’. In Issoudun, life is steeped in rich history and culture that continues to echo through its streets. Now, if only these gnome legs could play the piano…