On Friday I had a beautifully special afternoon with my sister as we went up to the little lake in Silvermine where our parents ashes are scattered so that both of us could find a stone to carry on our respective pilgrimages. Mine through France in May and hers through Spain in June. To send me on my way she gave me some beautiful wire words to pin to my pack and a powerful poem 'The Journey' by Mary Oliver and we spent half and hour just soaking up the serenity of the lake is so sacred to our family.

I feel peaceful and ready for the adventure ahead and secure in the knowledge that I will carry both my mum and dad's love and wisdom and my brother and sister with me every step of the way.