Cheers – Where everybody knows your name
August 29, 2008
The second day in the Bugey involved a 6km walk from Lacroux to Charley. This was hilly country, even by those who come from hilly countries. The thought of such a walk was enough to put doubts in people’s minds, however when we learned it was all down hill everyone was a starter. The lead group of Christoph, John Murphy and Matt, shortly followed by Edwin and John Beckley set off. Secretly their thought was there the destination perhaps might be a place for a beer or even a decent cup of coffee. Think again chaps, this is a place where Fr Colin preached the first missions, a remote village. Nothing’s changed, there’s of course a Catholic church and a public w/c, which all were thankful for, not necessarily in that order.
After the picnic lunch it was back to Belley to prepare for a tour of Bon Repos, College Lamartine, La Capuciniere, the Bishop’s palace, the former cathedral, and a visit to the chapel where Jean-Marie Chavion is buried. Mass followed. It was a big afternoon and the heat was telling. Thankfully upon returning to Bon Repos, Sr Marie, our tour-guide, “shouted.” Beers, soft drink or fruit juice all round. Even Sister agreed she was parched.
With the heat of the day gone, but the stiffness from walking down hill for such a way beginning to tell on all except Charlie who walked half the Lacrous to Charley distance backwards, a few of us gathered down town in Belley for a quiet pint. It was Friday night after all.
Matt’s reputation preceded him because despite his smashing one of their glasses the previous night, we were were obviously known and greeted in English with “Hello”. Who knows what else they might have said amongst themselves, however when we simply asked for “beer” and they immediately knew which variety to pour, and unlike other tables gave us complementary peanuts.
While feeling very much at home and well looked after, it was our last night in town and the attraction of a blues singer in the Bar around the corner also had pulling power for our few Euros. The songs, good old favourites and in English, our singing along soon caught the ear of the artist. As well as the music, this was an excellent venue for those interested in sampling some good French red wine.
Not wanting to be home too late, we bade farewell to our new best friends, Matt getting the customary kiss on both cheeks from the attentive waitress. Five minutes and we were home again, no German Shepherd tonight and much to everyone’s delight the PIN number for the door now worked.
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Glad to hear you are not lost. Good wishes from those at home tramping local hills.(G.Course pretty flat really.) Visit from Vaney and students. Conroy and men fo retreat at Mission soon. Spring has sprung, the grass is ris…… Warming up. Prayers from here.
Paddy s.m.