Via Francigena – suite May 2014

Many thanks to all who have kindly written to me enquiring after my “difficult” tendon & offering encouragement so I thought I’d just give you a quick follow-up.
I returned home late Wednesday night & saw the physio on Thursday & Friday.  I will also go daily this week (except for public holiday Thursday).  So hopefully within 7-10 days my future as a pilgrim will be decided.
Last Thursday morning I didn’t want to venture out into the world again and was surprised how, without my realizing it, I had become a little cut off from the “normal” world.  I had just been walking alone during the day and was having a little interaction with people  morning & evening but…

As I had mentally “finished” many regular activities for the summer break when I left on my walk, I don’t feel like starting them again now so I hope to benefit from a quieter life these coming days which will no doubt be beneficial for my tendon.

I have not yet unpacked my rucksack but will need to do so because if I start again I will have to lighten my load a little (the pack weighed 9.5kg when I got home instead of a max 8kg…) and this will mean “weighing up” not only the physical weight of items but also whether they can justify their presence on my back!

So I have been able to “smell the roses” & other flowers on my terrace which are truly beautiful now, one benefit of being home again.  Photo attached.  Also thought you might like to see me “stepping out” on my walk as imagined by my artist friend Percho (but more footloose & fancy-free with no pack on the back!)

I will keep you informed of future “pilgrim” plans & will leave you with another verse from my talented “versifying” friend who was inspired by a sermon on “journeys” she heard at Mass last week: