Though the well is capped, we can still sip the waters of freedom. Small journeys on foot, starting and ending at home, remain legal and plausible.

Shrewsbury to RomeLeslie H ColeJanuary 29, 2021Via Francigena, Slow Travel, England, COVID, Pilgrimage, The Old WayComment

Wanderlust This and Wanderlust That

The svelte chihuahua in a skimpy bikini and sunglasses caught my attention, and I stopped clicking through long enough to listen to her rap.

Leslie H ColeJanuary 19, 2021Via Francigena, Slow Travel, Pilgrimage, GuidebooksComment

Camp Coffee or Cafe con Leche?

One constant that defined my two Camino thru-hikes, and what I looked forward to every single day was a café con leche shared with fellow pilgrims who walked with the same goal to reach Santiago de Compostela.

Shrewsbury to RomeLeslie H ColeJanuary 15, 2021Camino de Santiago, Through Hike, Slow Travel, Via Francigena, Cafe Cullture, Espresso, PackingComment

Pilgrimage or Thru-hike on the Camino

In anticipation of another long walk, I’m beginning to explore what the Via Francigena has in store for me. I don’t think there are backpack services, but is it a thru-hike?

CaminoLeslie H ColeJanuary 12, 2021Camino, Pilgrimage, Cafe, Spain, Trough Hike, Via Francigena, Camino FrancesComment

Where is Your Next Road?

The world went on hold in the year that shall not be named, and so did I. I couldn’t even begin to think about the possibility of a walk through England, France, Switzerland, and Italy.

Camino, Shrewsbury to RomeLeslie H ColeJanuary 5, 2021Camino de Santiago, Pilgrimage, Community, Slow Travel, Via FrancigenaComment

All Roads Lead to Rome

The destination can be motivation, but the journey is life, day-to-day, one foot in front of the other.

Shrewsbury to Rome, Slow lifeLeslie H ColeAugust 28, 2020Camino Frances, Camino de Santiago, Via Francigena, Walk, RomeComment