Best Foot Forward: A 500-Mile Walk Through Hidden France
“A book to inspire” Good Housekeeping Magazine
At the age of 50+, Susie treks across France...
...500 miles from the West to the East, all alone, with her tent on her back.
She entrusts her French farmhouse full of assorted animals to a total stranger from Texas she finds on the internet.
January – Message posted to Internet:
‘Free use of French farm house in Poitou-Charentes in return for caring for animals (horses, dogs, cat, parrots, geese, fish) for 6 weeks while owner walks across France.’
Reply: ‘You must be joking!’
Reply: 'Hi. I saw your message. I am a 16-year-old student. I like all animals. Would I be able to bring some friends who also like animals and want to improve their French?’
Reply: ‘I am very sorry. Please disregard my earlier response. You are not in Provence, and my wife doesn’t want to do it anyway. Good luck.’
Reply: ‘I would be ready to look after up to three dogs, but definitely no cats as I am allergic. What is the local nightlife like?’
Reply: ‘I am interested in your ad. I am an American lady from San Antonio, Texas, have kept horses and bred dogs and would very much like to visit France. Hope to hear from you. Jennifer.’
As Susie doggedly tramps over unknown terrain from La Rochelle to Geneva, frequently lost and either too hot or too cold, Texan Jennifer copes heroically with lost dogs, erratic electricity, old men hiding in bushes, and a language she cannot speak.
At the age of 50+, Susie treks across France...
...500 miles from the West to the East, all alone, with her tent on her back.
She entrusts her French farmhouse full of assorted animals to a total stranger from Texas she finds on the internet.
January – Message posted to Internet:
‘Free use of French farm house in Poitou-Charentes in return for caring for animals (horses, dogs, cat, parrots, geese, fish) for 6 weeks while owner walks across France.’
Reply: ‘You must be joking!’
Reply: 'Hi. I saw your message. I am a 16-year-old student. I like all animals. Would I be able to bring some friends who also like animals and want to improve their French?’
Reply: ‘I am very sorry. Please disregard my earlier response. You are not in Provence, and my wife doesn’t want to do it anyway. Good luck.’
Reply: ‘I would be ready to look after up to three dogs, but definitely no cats as I am allergic. What is the local nightlife like?’
Reply: ‘I am interested in your ad. I am an American lady from San Antonio, Texas, have kept horses and bred dogs and would very much like to visit France. Hope to hear from you. Jennifer.’
As Susie doggedly tramps over unknown terrain from La Rochelle to Geneva, frequently lost and either too hot or too cold, Texan Jennifer copes heroically with lost dogs, erratic electricity, old men hiding in bushes, and a language she cannot speak.