Homewards

Well folks, this is my last post on this blog.  Thank you for being part of this journey.  It began on June 13th, 2024 when I left Adelaide, and will end 360 days later on June 8th when I return home to Adelaide.

Now, to recap.  In that time I have walked on:-
   
The Hildegard von Bingen Way, Ausonius weg from Bingen to Trier, where I changed to Chemin St Jacques, to Metz then onto Vezelay. 
Felsenkirche, Idar Oberstein

Bingen 

The Cross of Lorraine,  associated with de Gaulle 
Vezelay 

Fom there I walked intermittently (due to ligament injuries) via Taize and Cluny on the Via Gebennensis to le Puy-en-Velay, and then the Regordane Way from le Puy to Nimes.
Taize 
Cluny
Le Puy-en-Velay 
Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe, le Puy-en-Velay 
The Regordane Way crosses the Stevenson Way numerous times
The Regordane Way 
Nimes 

In September I flew to the UK and began walking from John o Groats to Lands End (though I only got as far as Cambridge).  Here I walked on:- 

The Moray Coastal Path, St Duthacs Way, Fife Pilgrims Way, St Ninian's Way, and Hadrian's Wall Path to get me to the other side of the country.
Paisley Abbey 
St Ninian's Way 
Kilwinning Abbey 
St Ninian's cave
Heading to St Ninian's Cave 

I was thwarted in walking the Way of Love and the Way of Light in and out of Durham due to a big storm, but picked up my route again in Hartlepool after a train ride to escape the snow in the mountains.
A sculpture of the monks carrying St Cuthbert

From Hartlepool I followed St Hilda's Way to Whitby, sometimes on the Cleveland Way, and then the Whitby to Scarborough Rail Trail, followed by the VERY muddy White Rose Way to York.
St Hilda's at Hartlepool 
Hartlepool, the old town. 


Looking back to Ravenscar
Whitby Abbey
At Robin Hoods Bay 
The beach at Scarborough 


Epworth, where Samuel Wesley, John and Charles' father was Vicar

Another storm interfered with plans and a train took Sharn and me to Selby, where we walked to Epworth to begin the path called The Journeys of Faith - to Lincoln.  From here we made our way to Kings Lynn and I continued on to Norwich for Christmas, after which I made my way to Swaffham and then onto Cambridge.
The town sign of Swaffham
The Bridge of Sighs, Cambridge 
Cambridge
The Pedlar of Swaffham

There I chased down a guide to the East Anglian Way, and it was here, 1 day along on this path that plans were put on hold because of a broken wrist and broken ankle!  10 days in hospital, 5 weeks recuperating in a hotel, 6 weeks being a gentle "tourist", and my 180 days in the UK were up.  

It was then off to Spain for the next 90 days. Several weeks exploring Spain as a tourist to make sure my leg was fully recovered, and then it was back on the road with my pack.  First, along the Camino Teresiana, then a couple of days on the Via de la Plata, and concluding with the Camino Sanabrés.   
Zamora 
Alba de Tormes,  the end of the Camino Teresiana. 
Storks, or cigüeña in Spanish.   A big part of the Spanish journey.
Avila, the start of the Camino Teresiana 

My Spanish time was capped off by a couple of weeks in Santiago de Compostela, and 2 days in Portugal where I  followed the Via Mariana to the pilgrimage church of Bom Jesus do Monte. 


The journey home has begun, with a 13 hour train ride from Santiago to Barcelona where I stayed overnight before catching a flight to Paris, with another overnight stay before boarding a Singapore Airlines flight for the start of the two long flights home.

It has been a wonderful time.  I have shared some of the journey with family and old friends, and I have made new friends.  I have seen many beautiful sights, observed customs dating back centuries, and been privileged to hear some wonderful music along the way.  There were some things unexpected but nothing that will stop me from heading off again!

As I said at the beginning - thank you for sharing the journey with me. Not sure when the next blog will be, but hopefully not too far away, and you can join me then!

Comments

  1. Goody6 June 2025 at 14:14

    I’ve enjoyed every step along the way with you Janet - well apart from the little mishap, but no doubt you certainly made the most of that experience.
    Each post has given an insight into the history, culture and especially the churches and their music.
    It’s been a pleasure and honour to follow your journey.
    I’m ready for the next one when you are!
    Cheers until we catch up in person and enjoy a cuppa and a chat 😘

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janet7 June 2025 at 03:58

      Thanks Vicky. Will look forward to catching up in person - whenever that might be. Sitting in the airport lounge (Changi) at present enjoying the sunset!

      Delete
  2. B&I Step By Step7 June 2025 at 00:55

    Fabulous adventure and thanks for taking us with you. You've got a mighty big photo book to put together now, where you can relive it all once again. Safe travels, see you soon. B&I

    ReplyDelete
  3. Janet7 June 2025 at 04:01

    Thanks. Photo book is going to have to wait for a while. Have a couple of PowerPoint's to do for speeches first, and plan to paint the house while all the furniture is out! Plus I have a lot of coffee's to catch up on. Looking forward to coffee with you both soon.

    ReplyDelete

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