We have wended by deserted farms and abandoned villages on this southern route around the bivouacked army. Nothing of value has been left behind. Either the inhabitants departed with their possessions, or foragers from the army scooped them up.
A number of times we were forced off the trail by the approach of patrols, and remained motionless until after they had passed. It makes our progress very slow.
On one of these occasions five peasants came up behind the patrol, in plain sight and made no move to avoid the soldiers other than leaving the road to them when passing them by.
As we were similarly attired, we were emboldened to do the same.
We quickened our pace after that.
Watch This Space 