The GR22 ~ Mont St Michel to Brecey

Ah I had made it to Mont St Michel ~ a good night's rest ~ and now it looked an easy walk around the la Selune estuary to Avranche. ~ BUT whilst packing up my tent there was a loud CRACK ~ and the single aluminium hoop pole snapped in two. You can slip an aluminium sleeve over the pole to affect a repair but I had lost this part up in the Pyrennese somewhere and could I get a spare on route? ~ It rather consumed my mind as I wandered les Herbeaux towards Pontaubault. Could I possibly use tentpegs inside the pole?. Anyway at Pontaubault all my attempts to seek for a plumber as a source of a pipe sleeve were directed to the "Anglaise" at the campsite, ~ and sure enough he had a little piece of copper pipe. SAVED.
I had met a Frenchman on a bicycle who had wanted to ford the river to save many miles of trail ~ and I had deemed this too dangerous, ~ but it probably is OK.
Towards day end Avranche appeared and the GR22 paintstripes seemed to disappear or lead in strange directions. I headed to the town centre for maps, guides, and supplies, and then the marked campsite. Guides? ~ NO. Maps ~ yes (see intro). Supplies fine, but the campsite was no more ~ so falling immediatly into depression ~ I knew what to do ~ have a rest in a bar and think things out. Two spots just out of town looked possible for "camping sauvage" ~ and yes a lovely spot it proved.
After a good nights rest it was on to the old paths of Normandy ~ following the wooded escarpment above the valley of the river See ~ a welcome change from the flat. The day had started out damp but by midday was warm and I was now feeling tired when I met an English family out cycling and heard of their campsite in the valley below. I decided to detour from the marked trail for a known campsite, and supplies ~ something I need to learn to do. Also I wanted to try an idea that had grown whilst in the Pyrenese of taking a rest day now and again. So I can reccomend Brecey.

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