The daily wonder, insights, challenges and photos of my journey from Rome to Canterbury on foot
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I arrived in Canterbury, a little later than expected and a little poorer than planned. I waited at the wrong bus stop so long I missed my bus. I relied on the online map which clearly marked the bus stop I was waiting at. What I didn't realise was that was for buses going to London and there was a different stop for buses coming from London that was not so clearly marked on their online map.
Read MoreToday is my last day in London for a few months. Tomorrow, I take the bus down to Canterbury, the starting point of my pilgrimage. I planned to spend my last day in stillness, stretched out beneath the trees in Greenwich Park, basking in the sunshine but grey clouds have shrouded the sun and whisper rain.
Read MoreI am sitting in Greenwich Park, beneath blue skies that are slowly streaking white. The sun is warming the bare skin on my back. The wind rustles the leaf laden trees echoing around the park in nature's own mexican wave. Lovers picnic. Families stroll. A lean and muscular Italian youth shows off his six-pack as he practices his soccer skills. Two pesky terriers stalk three ravens scavenging the grass for food. Beyond the Maritime museum buildings, the muddy Thames winds past O2 Arena and into the city, or away from it, whichever way its currents flow. Me; I sit on the grass in stillness and I write; pausing frequently to look up and witness this English summer activity.
Read MoreA turtle changed my life. On the second dive of my Open Water Scuba Diving course, I saw a turtle. A small, hawksbill turtle, gliding effortlessly through the water plane just metres ahead of me. She looked into my eyes and I into hers and what passed between us I can only describe as love and ancient wisdom. I was hooked. I wanted to see more turtles so all of my holidays were planned around diving
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.
