While I usually need a week to settle into my long-distance walking, I sometimes develop a sense of the trail fairly early. In this case, my meeting folks along the way has stood out from the beginning. Sister Josephine Maria I meet many, many walkers. Saturday and Sunday I said “hello”, “hi,” “cheers” to over …
Author: sabbatical2017blog
242. Hello Body
Hello Body! Nice that you have come along with me. You are a grumbling one, aren’t you? So, the bottoms of our feet don’t like the rocky paths. What about when you get to walk on the grass like a golf course putting green. Or, what about the soft pine needle cushion walking between the …
241. Spoken Words
During my first full day in England, by train and bus, I reach Wells. I check into the Ancient Gatehouse Inn. Nicky greets me “Welcome luv, staying with us tonight?” I feel welcome! Then, although tempted to fall asleep, I head to the Wells Cathedral. Modest. Beautiful. A spirited guide declares that Wells was “a …
240. My Backpack Is Ready
My backpack is ready. My itinerary is set. My flight is booked. I’m walking one of the UK’s National Trails, the South West Coast Path. Why this trail? I’m no Anglophile, but I do have a history associated with the UK. After my college study abroad in Greece, I traveled to the UK as my …
238. Destination, Rome and Sister Churches
My destination has been Rome. Emotionally, my own walk probably ended when I left Assisi. I had time to rest and reflect on my 40+ days of walking. While I started walking to Rome from Viterbo, I really wanted to reach Rome. Besides acquiring my Testimonium when I reached Rome, I knew that Rome had …
237. No Movement
I have moved from Aosta, south of the Alps, across the Po River Valley, over the Apennines, down Tuscany and Lazio to Rome. While primarily walking, I have taken trains and buses. I've even had several unexpected short car rides, two strangers driving me half-a-mile on my second day, a host's son driving me three-four …
236. Movement
A walking pilgrim moves. Others move also though. I've given cyclists a hard time in several of my posts, especially my Rome post where I was pretty much shocked by the difference in walking in rural Italy and coping with frantic Rome. I do enjoy talking with cyclists and photographing them. Some of them may …
235. Fellow Pilgrims, Metaphorically Speaking
In Canterbury Cathedral, one can see a portion of a stain glass window that displays "The Six Ages of Man." Sorry for the sexist language. This depiction of an individual's life emerged in the 12th century. By 1600 CE, Shakespeare borrows and elaborates upon these stages. In As You Like It, Shakespheare has Jaques’ soliloquy …
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234. Fellow Pilgrims, Maybe
I've been home for a week. Only now am I starting to put my walking this section of the Via Francigena into perspective. Although many more thoughts will emerge, my following posts show where my mind is still walking! The main joys of walking the Via Francigena are meeting people. Others and myself! Every single …
233. Destination Rome
I made it to Rome.Yeah! I didn’t realize how tired that I was. I’m glad to be here, glad to finish the walk to Rome; however, no real super exhilaration, no real “Wow, I did this.” Maybe in a couple of days. I can also tell that I’m tired because my usual drive to see …
