Day 23 - Swalmen to Montfort, Oct. 4

It was a much better day than yesterday. It was longer, at almost 23 km, but a lot more variety. Our host from the B & B drove us to the centre of Swalmen so that our day would not be 30 km. We set off between the old church and townhall and soon were in the countryside. Some trails were little more than cow paths. At one point we had to walk between some big black cattle. They were right on the path. Jeff went first, with his poles at the ready. I whispered behind him, "Protect me, protect me". But, really, the animals did not care and kept munching.

On one of the roads we met a guy who was raising Piedmont cattle from Italy. Apparently, very tender beef. He was eager to tell us about this.  He had just been to Newfoundland, to see whales. Jeff and I hate B & B's but we do seem to like chatting with people we meet during the day.

At our first break at a lovely cafe at Spik there was a dog training session going on. Soon, all the dog owners, and their dogs, were sitting at the cafe for coffee. Twenty people with twenty dogs. We were surrounded. The trainer kept saying "sshh" to all the barking dogs. Fascinating!

It was a bit tedious getting around the city of Roermond but soon we left that behind, too. Time for tea now and we found a lovely Cafe in Sint Odilienberg, a gorgeous old town with a stunning cathedral. It dates from the 8 th century as an abbey. In 1945 anything with a tower was destroyed by the Nazis. So this church, too, has been rebuilt. 

At the cafe we met 4 ladies doing the whole Pieterpad but in 7 years. We had a lively chat with them. And then, in the woods just before Montfort, we met a couple who do the PP by leaving a car here and their bikes there. Talking to them felt like talking to old friends. Quite amazing.

Tonight we have hit the jackpot with B & B's. A lovely place. Own bathroom, high ceiling, clean, bright. The Groenegast it is called. The lady made us a pot of tea, with cookies. We do have to walk back into town for dinner but it is only 10 minutes.

Three more days.....