We reached the end of Phase 1 of our walk, from Canterbury across France, over the Alps and into the Po valley in Italy. Phase 2 will start September 26 from Viverone to Rome where we will walk into St Peter’s Square on November 6. Phase 1 exceeded our wildest expectations, perhaps because we did not know what to expect. The simple fact is that when we set off from Canterbury, we did not know what we had signed up for. Some say ignorance is bliss, in this case ignorance helped us survive. We just yodyyoed our way surprised by every turn without being discouraged, while feeling energized by every obstacle we overcame. As Bob Dylan would say: “When you ain’t got nothing, you got nothing to lose.” If we had been looking for a significant revelation when we started this walk, we would have been disappointed. Instead, over the past 2 months of walking, we realized that life is fulfilling even when just putting one foot ahead of the other, one before and one that follows, but never alone. We only need each other.
With Edward and Paula
Walking the Via Francigena 
congratulations on ending phase I. A great feat. See you stateside. Elena
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Wonderfully said and congratulations a quite extraordinary accomplishment. We’ll join you for the 300 meters into St Peter’s on Nov 6th!
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Well done you two. Congrats on overcoming every obstacle together, every day, for two months on the 1000 km trek.
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We didn’t know about the mid-journey, pre break. Brilliant idea! The Italian leg of this journey Neds to be savored. Congratulations on your journey to date. Frank and Dale
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We are flying back to the US for Hannah’s baby, due Sept 7 We will see you in Washington
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A marvelous feat by a marvelous couple! Your blog was better than the NY Times travel section & often pithier. Welcome home!
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👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Well done, safe travels home! ❤️
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Edward and Paula, You two are so amazing. What an adventure. Thank you so much for posting. We would love to connect when you are stateside! Willia
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Get Outlook for iOShttps://aka.ms/o0ukef ________________________________
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we are going to continue of Sept 26. Hannah is having a baby so we want to be with her.
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What a perfect last sentence to the journal! I think you need to record the audio version. Hey! Maybe for Phase 2 you could post the audio reading too!
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Congratulations! The well-lived life must always include struggle. Paul
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BRAVI, BRAVISSIMI!!!!
When will you show up in Todi?
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What a great experience we have all vicariously shared via your blog. Always, interesting and informative. Often funny. Beautiful narratives of people and places along the way. A deep and broad knowledge of the history ,geography, culture and essence of the towns and villages visited. Quirky stories. Human insight and profound love for one another. We have enjoyed it tremendously. Shared it with you as you travelled and learnt a lot about you as individuals and a couple. More please on your return. Meantime, a safe trip back to America.
Lyndsey and Ian x
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Well, from admiration to amazement then awe and now WOW, what an inspiration! Back to the US for the greatest miracle of all. Love, Lynda and Peter
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Many congratulation!! What a great achievement. Looking forward to seeing you soon and have a good trip home as you re-enter a different version of our world I am going to miss your blog!!
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Looking forward to next phase Sept
Thankyou for sharing
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Glad to catch you on Leg 2 of your journey! Safe travels! xox
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