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SERENDIPITY:
We’ve met some wonderful people along the way. Where we are now is the best yet.

When we decided to veer off the VF proper, the one everyone takes, we didn’t think it through. We just went. I am funny that way. You know. “the road less traveled.” We went from Vercelli to Genoa in 2 days, 110 km, because I couldn’t find a place to stay!

A couple of days ago, among a pile of pics I posted a pic of Jake’s shoes. He’s beaten those 300-mile running shoes into going 800+ miles. They are pathetic looking, but they do the job.

Joann commented on that pic. “We have the best shoe store for hikers on the west coast of Italy. Our town is one town away from where you are staying.”

We are at Joanne’s place now. We spent one night and will spend 3 more! Our first time staying at a place more than one night.

We are using her place as a base as we walk the tough route down the coast. We walk, train back. Take the train to where we left off the next day, proceed on then walk back.

Rinse and repeat. On the last day we will go to Sarzana and they will bring our gear to us!!!!!

What a treat! What a kindness! Above and beyond. And, and Joanne walked with us today to guide us for the first 15 km before she turned back and we went on.

All because of a picture of broken shoes.

Jake didnt find what he wanted. But there is a very good chance he will find them in Lucca when we go through there next week. I doubt we’ll find another Joanne’s.

It’s the unplanned encounters that are most memorable.
Can you say serendipity?

I faced a conundrum.

I took a road for abt 2 5 miles. It came to a dead end. I saw the international sign for Do Not Enter.

There was wire stretched on 3 sides that said in French. Electric. Danger. Death.
I dreaded walking back. Then walking around the forest for a wasted 5 miles plus walking again. I felt sick to my stomach.

3 questions
1. What would you do?
2. What should I have done?
3. What did I do?

You answer first. In a couple of days I’ll tell you what I did.

A Gifted Companion: The Unforgettable Journey with Jake

Everyone needs a Jake.

I confess. I quietly hoped or leaned towards wishing he wouldn’t come. Now, I’m beyond thrilled that he did.

A mutual friend introduced us about 6 months ago. We talked a few times on WhatsApp. We met face to face for the first time in Canterbury at 11 pm, 6 hours before we took off. We’ve been together every day since.

Jake was born into a hippie commune. No kidding. He’s met his father only once, when he was in his late teens.

He’s 50 now and will turn 51 on July 4th.
Jake has been to 140 countries. He’s worked on Mercy Ships. Lived in Africa for 4 years, and, and …

He’s is ridiculously resourceful, has an absolute can-do spirit. He’s a very strong walker, has a prodigious memory, and if we are playing Trivial Pursuit, he’s on my team!!

When we walk, he consistently looks back to see if I’m okay. He’s quick to lend a shoulder, literally, if I need help standing to clean out my shoe or something similar.

He’s able to work while traveling and has his hands in a LOT of ventures. He does very well for himself but is equally unpretentious.

I love my two boys (my daughter, too, of course) but if I could claim a 3rd son, I’d want Jake. He’s a gift. I couldn’t imagine this pilgrimage without him.
Everyone needs a Jake, but you can’t have mine.

Halfway to the Goal: The Ascent of the Alps Beckons

The Alps are 2 days away.

Tomorrow we will stay in an Abby. The day after in a small church parish. After that we start climbing. The first day is 12.2 miles and 800 (2600 feet) meters of climbing.

The second day is 7 miles and 1000 (3300 feet,) meters. The third day 4.5 miles and another 1000 meters. We go over the top on the third day.

I have been told that the hardest part of this pilgrimage is the long empty days through France’s fields and ghost towns. The 3 days of climbing are still hard, but the distances are short. 5 miles of climbing or 30 miles of fields and empty towns?

Still. Being honest here. I’m not easily intimidated. But approaching the Alps, I am a little bit. I think I can make it. Put one foot in front of the other enough times and eventually you can get anywhere. I’ve done it 1,161,619 times since I left the UK. I’ve covered abt 589 miles. With those numbers you’d think I am ready. And I am.

But, I’m also tired. We’ve been doing 18-21 miles/day consistently for days. We’ve not taken a day off. We did two short days (abt 10 miles each day for our days off.)

We’ve slept in 32 different rooms/beds. I’ve packed and unpacked my backpack more than 32 times because I always forget something and have it to do it again…and again.

Every day we have to find a place to stay. And we have to scavage for food. It is surprisingly hard to find places to shop for food in France. Thank God eclairs are rich in vitamins, too!

It’s rained abt 1 out of 3 days overall. We expect rain and thunder and lightning for the climbing days.
And. I’m not halfway done …. yet.

Cresting the Alps on Friday will bring us to abt the halfway point in distance, but not in time. June 20th is when that happens.

I’m good. I’m ready. I’m tired. I’m intimidated. But, I’m game.
Are the Alps looming or beckoning?
I don’t know.

Sometimes I get bored.

We left at 6 am.

Stopped at a patisserie along the way.

Visited with an old man who let us into an old church – not sure which was older.

Covered 27km. (17+ miles)

Arrived at our destination at 1.

Had a great lunch with our host. Sausage. Pasta. Cheese. Bread. Cake.
Washed all my clothes.

Hung them out to dry.

Was guided through another 900-year-old church by another 900-year-old very nice person who couldn’t understand she needed to wait for me to push the button on my translator.

She talked like she was on fast-forward and I nodded like a bobblehead as I understood.
Took a nap – unplanned.

Booked another stay 2 nights out.
Sent requests for 3 and 4 nights out.

Wrote some emails, sent some updates, and called my wife.
Now it’s 548 pm.
Too early for bed.

Dinner is at 7.
What do I do for the next 4 hrs? 8+)

All the churches in France were empty. All the churches in Italy are closed. I must find my own way to worship.

I was listening to Sandy Patty’s “We Shall Behold Him.” If you know Sandy Patty, you know she starts off slowly, gets warmed up, then takes off, and finishes over the top.

While I was walking I could hear her picking up steam. The recording was LIVE. The crowd started clapping and cheering. They, I knew something special was coming.

Just as she was giving it her all, I turned the corner and was overwhelmed by the mountain view in front of me.

Glorious voice, jaw dropping view. I got chills. I got emotional. Tears would have come down except the cold stopped them.

Our God is an awesome God. Someday we shall behold him and see the Maker of such marvelous sounds and views.

I worshipped the Creator of everything on that mountain.

Yesterday I wrote about the negative thoughts. Today that changed. Did you all pray for me or something?
I put on my headphones and was listening to John Denver’s wildlife concert.

I’m not a swearing guy, but if I were, I’d start here. It sounded differently. I could hear every instrument, background singer, and Denver. It was weird. It was as if my feet sprouted ears and thought,

“I’m doing my best but I will try to add a little spring to my step.” Then I looked around from the top of a hill over the countryside and to me it was awe inspiring. No tears. But I was moved, my innards swelled. And, I forgot I was supposed to be tired, and remembered why I decided to go on this walk.

We took a rest day today, by covering only 12 miles instead of our usual 18-ish. We did some shopping for some things we wished we had. (Ex. I need a longer charging cord for my phone.)

If any of you happen to be on Whatsapp, you can connect with me there at 408-712-3268.
I have a lot more pics, and maybe we can even chat.

It rained AFTER we got to our lodging!
Today was a good day. An excellent day! Thanks for your good wishes, and prayers, too.

Sunday is not the day of worship.

Today we took a day off of sorts. We went on to the next town, but it was just 10-ish miles away. Easiest day so far.

I’d like to think we took off because it’s Sunday and we should go to one of the many churches we have seen that have nobody in them. Nope, it just happened to be Sunday and it worked out to be an easy day in our long list of daily jaunts.

But …

I was listening to Michael W Smith as I walked. He did a live concert and the song Agnus Dei came on. It’s from Revelation 4. Worthy is the Lamb. He is Holy.

I am not a raise your hands up and sing kind of Christian. Nor am I unashamed of my faith. I will share anywhere, to anyone, anytime.

Before I left the States, I committed to pray (among other things) for a group of girls in Chattisggarh, India who have no home. I ask God daily to give them a home. I am provided for daily as a pilgrim. I want them to be provided for.

Our Father. He’s my father and their father. Holy is your name. I begin my prayer. As I walked, MW Smith sang ‘Worthy is the Lamb. You are holy.’ Suddenly the wind picked up, I looked up and raised my arms up! I don’t know why. Or maybe I do know why.

The next thing I did was look around to see who might be watching me.

Sunday is not the day of worship. Every day is a day of worship.

Today was a good day, a short day, a restful day, a day full of worship as I continued my trek.

Thanks for being here. Your comments and emoji-fying are very encouraging to me.

Things I think I think.
Several of you have asked me what I think about when I’m walking. Before I answer, I want to say ‘Thank you!’ to all of you who hit an emoji, or leave a comment or share a post (plz share!) It’s very encouraging. More than you might think.

I wish I could say I think deep thoughts, but the truth is I try a lot of the time to not think. No kidding. Being honest here.

When I think, I think ‘What am I doing here?’ or ‘ What was I thinking when I thought that I could do this?’ or ‘Have I lost my marbles?’ or ‘Am I going to hurt myself permanently?’

When I think. I think of reasons why I should NOT be here trying to complete this walk. Negative thoughts far out way positive thoughts. So I try not to think.

There are a lot of reasons I can think of to quit. There is usually only one reason to continue – because I told myself I would continue. When a negative thought comes to mind, when a legitimate negative thought comes to mind, I tell myself often, ‘I’ll think about that later, AFTER I finish what I’ve started here.’

I’m pretty sure I’m not making much sense here. But I understand myself … usually.

I’ve been asked to speak at a retreat for an English speaking Chinese church. I use some of my walking time to prepare for that.

I have Libby on my phone and can download tons of audiobooks. I listen to books when I walk.
I make sure I have a Bible verse each day to chew on.
I try to think of something for Wilby to do each day.

I’m also only 11 days in on this 80+ day journey. I do want to go deep. Before that I want to find my feet, the confidence that I can continue. I think I can. Being honest here. I’m still not sure that at 70 (in September), I may have finally bit off more, make that way more, than I can chew.