This section of the trail has been my favourite so far. In fact I would do it again and again and again!

On previous portions of the walk I had to resort to counting my steps; 1, 2, 3, … 98, 99, 100. And then start counting again until I was done for the day!

Today was a non-counting day for the walk as it was so breathtaking that at times I was close to tears. No, I was in tears.

At one point I didn’t know if I was in Spain or the English countryside!

While walking in this idyllic place I was reminded that earlier in the day I was in a cafe waiting for my coffee and the stupid tv was on and seeing the state our world is in. I thought that if those with hate in their heart were to walk the Camino, would they see that they have been given an opportunity to be a part of the beauty of our planet and want to work towards saving it from destruction or would they still only have hate?

We can choose to love or hate, and the separation is a micron apart.

I have grown in ways I never expected. But we never know what we learn until it happens.

The guiding symbol of the Camino is the shell! Follow the shell!

Pilgrims have a shell on their backpack and my shell is from Katie, a gift from when she did her journey. It feels like a continuation of a journey where we are all connected.

I then got a pin for my hat! Thanks Curtis, you were the inspiration.

Then one day as I was walking I came across a German stone mason and he was carving wooden crosses and shells. Normally I walk by and then an hour later I think I should have stopped and got one!

This time I walked for 2-3 minutes and stopped! I want it!

Go back!

I did.

This is out of the ordinary for me but so glad I did. It is truly a work of art.

It is made of beech and those that know me know I can’t go to a beach without picking up a shell, a rock or a handful of sand, so why stop now?

There is/was one other shell. Early on on this journey I came across an artisan creating metal items. It spoke to me and I purchased a small metal shell to wear. It was my symbol of moving forward and opening up. I liked it also because it attached itself to a magnet in my waterpack. It was always in front of me.

As I was walking today it occurred to me that I haven’t seen it today! It must be in my backpack. Deep down I knew I had lost it.

Tonight as I went through everything I knew it was gone. I was disappointed but not upset because I realized that I was meant to lose it.

We own nothing! Things own us. We chase the next new shiny thing; once we get it, time to go after the next new shiny item!

In the past I would have been obsessing about this lost item for weeks if not months! All alone. Keeping it all inside.

Thank you Saint James!

As of now I wore this work of art for a few weeks; the artist made a few dollars and I grew as an individual.

When you lose things you find something even more precious.

I want to thank you all for your kind comments. I read them all and also your emails. I may not respond to them all but I’m grateful for the support you have all shown me. Your kindness does not go unnoticed.