DAY 74 - ST-MAURICE to VILLENEUVE (Thursday 29 June)

This was a fairly long day's walk, mostly on the Via Francigena, down to Villeneuve on the eastern shore of Lake Geneva. There was an early highlight shortly after setting off this morning, when we reached the 500 kilometre mark of our walk across Switzerland. 

Celebratory selfie to mark the 500 kilometre mark of our Switzerland shore to shore walk

We took the Via Francigena out of St Maurice this morning, and followed it down to Massongex, across the Rhone on a footbridge, and alongside the river for a couple of kilometres.

The Via Francigena out of St Maurice

We left the Via Francigena to take a more direct route into the town of Aigle. Our path went alongside a railway line for most of the way. 

On to Aigle via St Triphon - a pleasant railway-side walk, with the Dents du Midi appearing being us

After a lunch stop in Aigle, we rejoined the Via Francigena as it climbed above the neighbouring village of Yvorne. This was the most scenic section of today's walk, with a bit of climbing being rewarded with panoramic views.

Aigle

The Via Francigena from Aigle to Yvorne - a bit of climbing rewarded with some wonderful views

The area we were walking through is a noted wine producing area, and Yvorne is home to a few wineries. 

Yvorne - wine village on the Via Francigena 

We continued on the Via Francigena into Villeneuve, another couple of hours away. The path here was less scenic, but interesting nonetheless. We followed a railway line for a while, and entered Villeneuve via an industrial area.

The Via Francigena through Roche and into Villeneuve - not the most scenic walk in the country, but not without its points of interest

In Villeneuve, we checked in to our accommodation, and enjoyed a bit of time at the lake (Lake Geneva) as a storm started to roll in. 

Lake Geneva at Villeneuve 

Day 74 - Birds 

Day 74 - Elevation Profile 

Day 74 - Route 

Day: 74

Distance: 28.73 km

Walking time: 6 hrs 04 mins

Elevation gain: 356 metres

Cumulative distance:  1,607.19

Switzerland distance: 528.39

Switzerland chocolate consumption: 37 blocks

Poem of the Day:

NIBBLES

If you think I starve all day

With only a bite for lunch

You would be most mistaken

For there's always something to

munch

Apricots, bananas, mango strips

Hazelnuts, almonds, cashews

Gummy bears, cookies, chocolate

Lollies in reds and blues

A drink or two, maybe chocolate milk

Or a sparkly sugary treat

Some muesli bars and paprika chips

To provide contrast to the sweet

I nibble while I walk most days

I don't even need a seat

If there is nowhere to rest in sight

At least there's something to eat

DAY 73 - SAILLON to ST-MAURICE (Wednesday 28 June)

After yesterday's jaunt through the vineyards, today we headed back to the Rhone. We followed cycle and walking paths along the river as far as Évionnaz before finishing the last few kilometres into St Maurice on the Via Francigena. 

Most of today's walk was along the Rhone 

We headed straight for a walking/cycle path by the Rhone to take us the first 8-10 kilometres out from Saillon. The path bordered the river on one side and a succession of orchards on the other. With the mountains all around, vineyards on the hills, and buildings perched in improbable places, the path was particularly enjoyable. 

A pleasant start to the day's walk - downstream along the Rhone from Saillon

The path was quite popular with cyclists

River, mountains, Australian long-distance walkers, vineyards, orchards, wildflowers - impressive sights wherever one looks 

After a stop for breakfast at Fully, we continued on to the bend in the river. Called the Elbow of the Rhone, this is where the River takes almost a right-angled turn and heads north-west towards Lake Geneva. 

We crossed over the Rhone near Martigny

And headed down to the river

A footpath took us towards the dog-leg bend in the Rhone

Bend in the river - the Coude du Rhône 

The walking path continued for several kilometres. There weren't so many vineyards on this stretch.

River, mountains, bridges - scenic walking along the Rhone

After a while the walking path joined up with the adjacent cycle path. We followed it for a few kilometres into the town of Évionnaz, where we stopped for lunch. 

Cycle path along the Rhone towards Évionnaz 

Évionnaz

At Évionnaz we left the river and took the Via Francigena. The path led us into peaceful countryside, and directed us between two lines of scenic electricity poles into St Maurice.

The scenic Via Francigena between Évionnaz and St Maurice 

We made our way into the historic town of St Maurice, and found our way to our accommodation. 

Into St Maurice 

Day 73 - Birds 

Day 73 - Elevation Profile 

Day 73 - Route 

Day: 73

Distance: 28.32 km

Walking time: 5 hrs 42 mins

Elevation gain: 329 metres

Cumulative distance:  1,578.46

Switzerland distance: 499.66

Switzerland chocolate consumption: 35 blocks

Poem of the Day:

SECRET STRATEGY

When my legs refuse to stride

And shuffle's all they'll do

I have a secret strategy

That may work for you too

Your speed will surely triple

And all soreness disappear

You'll forget all your worries

And you'll find another gear

So what's my secret strategy?

What's my cunning calculation?

What keeps all the little aches at bay

And works better than hydration?

Why, song of course! A hum will do

Or a whistle-while-you-walk

Or a beating of the walking sticks

That makes other walkers gawk

You can belt out well known classic

songs

And if you forget your line

Just add another word (or ten)

And make a new song by design!