by regedmunds » Wed Mar 27, 2019 6:47 pm
Date walked: 27/03/2019
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A couple of years ago a neighbours little girl (10yrs) knocked at out door with a note "My mum said you need to read this!" Mum suggested that I read 'Travels with a Donkey in the Cevenne' by Robert Louis Stevenson. I downloaded it, it was free!
I read it from end to end and really enjoyed the book, especially his descriptions of the equipment he took with him, for example, an egg whisk, black bread (what is black bread?) and a revolver! His sleeping sack sounded interesting. He bought and travelled with a donkey who he named Modestine.
I then did the walk. Made my way to Le Puy en Velay and hiked for the next 12 days to St Jean du Gard. He wrote his book in 1878 and I dont think the area had changed much, except for cars! If you get the chance, do read the book and then do the walk. Marvellous!
Interestingly, I've found that very few people that I have met since in the UK have ever heard of this book. More people seem to know and love it, especially in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. I met quite a few European families who had hired donkeys to do the walk 'properly', I just walked it.
