The daily wonder, insights, challenges and photos of my journey from Rome to Canterbury on foot
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This morning, I took The Devil for a walk around the Tan, the Botanical Gardens here in Melbourne. Yes, you read correctly...The Devil. The Red Beasts and I took The Devil for a walk around the Tan. Before you become too alarmed...this, here on my back, is The Devil.
Read MoreThere are only 17 days until I fly to London. 26 days until I start walking the Via Francigena. I have started preparing to pack my belongings and put them into storage once more. For me, this is a two stage process.
The first, is going through everything and asking myself if I really need to keep it. Will I use it again or has it served its purpose and is it time to let it go and pass on to someone else who will benefit more?
The second part is to pack what I am keeping into boxes, bag, suitcases, backpacks and finally move it into its final storage place.
Read MoreThese very red Zamberalan Crosser goretex boots will be my two best friends over the coming months, my only constant companions and direct support as I walk from Canterbury to Rome along the Via Francigena trail.
For my Tuscan walk, I purchased a pair of trail runners without much thought and without seeking advice or assistance. My only requirements were that they were mostly black, my preferred colour for sports shoes, and that they were inexpensive as I would only be wearing them for a week after which time they would probably be discarded as they would not be required for the rest of my travel plans. I found a pair of Asics trail runners that met both of these requirements. However, when deciding to buy them, I neglected the most important aspects; comfort and fit. I put them on my feet. Took a few steps around the store and decided they would do the job. I took them home and packed them in my bag without even breaking them. Not once did I wear them before I left to go to Italy to walk 120 kilometres. Not once.
I realised the scale of my ignorance and poor decision making on the first day of that walk.
Read MoreThe path ahead is long. Approximately 2,083 kilometres long give or take a few kilometres.
I returned to my dreams that I placed high upon a shelf, out of sight, and I asked myself if they were dreams to be embodied and lived or dreams that float in the ether, only to live in my imagination.
Make us real, they whispered.
Make us real or at least try. And so I am
Read MoreKym Wilson is an Australian writer, coach and pilgrim. In late 2013, she walked 2,022 kilometres alone along the Via Francigena pilgrimage trail from Canterbury to Rome seeking inner wisdom and healing.
