Stage 28: Thann - Bellemagny

It's Sunday, the start of my 5th week of hiking, the 29th day of the long journey.

At first, my mind couldn't form clear thoughts, just an instant coffee for breakfast at the simple hostel, no drinks or food on the way, everything was already closed on Saturday evening, today is Sunday.

Additionally, the reservation in Bellemagny with the Benektin Sisters was not certain, the previous evening had only an answering machine. So I started at 8 o'clock, just in case I had to walk a long way again. But this is on a Sunday and without anything proper in the stomach. Two carrots and an apple were the emergency rations.

But this day should become a gift, indeed a Sunday.

After 2 hours in Guewenheim (really a tiny place), an opened bakery with coffee. The relief was great.

There, at the chapel Notre-Dame des Bouleaux, you can thank and traditionally start singing "Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten" ("If you let only God reign").

The paths are completely soaked by the rain, the shoes are heavily used.

I arrive in Couvent Saint Joseph in Bellemagny around 1 pm after 20 km. The Benedictine nuns serve me lunch, coffee, and send me to shower 😊😊😊

It's going to be a really good Sunday: in the afternoon, a concert and meditation in the monastery church.

I had a nice encounter. In the forest near Bretten, just before the destination, I met Mr. Schmidt from Bretten near Karlsruhe. I know Prof. Dr. Günter Frank, an old friend from Arnstadt, who is the director of the Melanchthon House in Bretten. Mr. Schmidt is familiar with him as well, so greetings are sent. After the concert, we sit together in the mobile home for two hours and talk about their pilgrimages and mine.

In the evening, Dorothe from Freiburg tells me about her pilgrimages, Taizé, and many impressions. Unfortunately, she immediately returns.

A round, beautiful Sunday, which Karina summarized so well:

You are slowly developing from a runner to a pilgrim 🙏