The sun is shining today. T is feeling young so he goes for a run and returns very sweaty. Early afternoon we wander into Bourges. It’s Sunday so we expect quiet with most shops closed but the place is asleep….or so we thought.

We find the cathedral and decide to enjoy a little lunch on the square before our visit. The place is now starting to wake up.

The Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges is a wonderful Gothic building with lovely chandeliers and gorgeous stained glass. It’s T’s favourite so far on this trip. I’m still sticking with the Vezelay Abbey. We light a couple of candles and thoroughly enjoy our visit, buying a wooden manger Christmas dec in the shop.

The space outside the cathedral is being set up for some sort of festival. We walk towards the park next door on our way to the Marais de Bourges, a swamp. The park is a riot of colour with flowers in full bloom everywhere. There’s a bandstand, a band and a dance in full flow with loads of mostly pensioners showing off their moves and having a wonderful time.

Down the hill to the Marais entrance we cross a little bridge and walk along the waterways. It’s a strange place as on both sides there are what look like allotments and gardens in various states of being loved, some filled with vegetables, some overgrown with collapsing sheds and fences. As we wander around we realise all these plots must be privately owned as we spot a couple of for sale signs.

Back up the hill to the cathedral , the event is now in full swing and there are lots of people around enjoying the sunshine. We find a seat in a bar and enjoy a beer and people watch.

Wandering back along the river we stop for a final small one in a pub that’s reminds us of many back street locals populated usually with senior men. This one has a great view of the river.

A final walk through the gorgeous avenue of plane trees and eventually a BBQ sitting outside the van followed by a couple of trivia quizzes and the final episode of the Night Agent. An 18,000+ step day today plus an extra 6,500 for T and his run. Tiring but thoroughly enjoyable.

Sunday 30:07:23