It’s not the destination, it’s the journey
Holds more truth than I ever realised.
Turning up at the Basilica meant little to me
But it was an ending
An ending to 4.30 am departures
Blazing , sucking sun
Endless sweating and stink
Parched lips and urgent thirst
Numb toes and swollen ankle
Incredible frustration and fear
Sleepless nights and sun burnt arms
But it was an end to the freedom
Of looking how you do because that is the way it is
Singing and dancing to ABBA when the day began to get tough
Sipping that cold beer on arrival at the first bar
That coffee and croissant crema first thing
Deep and meaningful conversations
That never dry up
Sitting on any cool shaded step anywhere because you can
Doing each day as you feel
Not how someone tells you
Sighing with pleasure at that delicious limoncello
Working to walk up mountains and looking across what you have done
Laughing at nothing
Learning about everything
What did it do for me?
Am I a new person?
I’m the same
But I have walked Italy
As a beginner
A woman
A learner
A walker
A friend
And I hope I am better in all those roles...
And I’m tired
I’m in Rome......
The next stage begins in the coming week
Thank you to all who have watched this journey
It has been unforgettable
Thank you to my dearest friend, Lee Evans
For his honesty
His support
His laughter
His self
And his utter joy in the sharing of an Italian adventure.
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