My Via Francigena Pilgrimage to Rome

Europe » Italy » Lazio » Rome
September 10th 2018

Published: October 8th 2018

For the third year in a row I walked a pilgrim trail. My blogs for the Camino de Santiago in 2016 start with Planning My Camino de Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage. For four weeks I walked across northern Spain in the footsteps of Roman legions, the early apostles James and Paul, and a million or more pilgrims since then. The movie "The Way" had inspired this pilgrimage as I yearned for the same ... Read Full Entry

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Bob Carlsen

Home and Away

I started blogging on Travelblog in 2009, entering trips beginning in 2007. My intention has always been to document my years of travel since my birth...how else was I to save all the slides my Dad took of my childhood! Most bloggers write about their trips away from home. Mine, and eventually Linda's, homes have usually been where people travel to. So the idea eventually percolated to name our blog "Home and Away." The blog is not intended to be an autobiography, although I spent my entire life traveling, with Linda joining me after college, it may appear to be that way. As this... full info

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9th October 2018

s v Tsamaya
Bob & Janice Waller

sounds like the trip changed direction but you still had a good one
thanks for bringing back some great memories from places we visited while in Italy as well as seeing and hearing about new ones. Had heard about that drive along the Amalfi Coast - glad we didn't drive it but instead sailed by it - much less stressful. Sounds like you already have your next trips planned - sound like good ones to me - will be sure to follow along

9th October 2018

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Changed directions...
Sailing is definitely the better option for seeing the Amalfi Coast. I look forward to reading about your next sailing season!

9th October 2018

A Small Swede in the Big World
Per-Olof Persson

I feel your pain...
...about forgetting your pilgrimage staff, I would have been devastated if mine hadn't come home with me from my pilgrimage in Japan. Despite abandoning the pilgrimage it sounds like you and Will had a good overall trip trough. I liked your revelation about the purpose of the pilgrimage.

9th October 2018

Mumtraveller
Lynne Brown

Modes of Travel
Bob, you certainly completed your journey by what ever means , well done . Just reading about in is exhausting! Maybe I should try that pilgrimage ...I think I could manage 9 km or even a bit more . I was in Positano 12 years ago just after my husband died and took a walk in the hills above ...The Walk with the Gods it was called , I stopped at a very rustic restaurant there , sounds like the same one you did.

9th October 2018

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Testimonium
I have read your step by step pilgrimage in two instalments as t'was not one to not allow time for contemplation. You have earned your Testimonium many times over, Bob. Well done. Not only did you 'do what the Romans do' but you endured and rode the bumps in the road and recorded your footsteps for posterity. What a pilgrimage...what an adventure...what a treasure trove of tales to share among your friends and family for years to come.

10th October 2018

gangopa
tab gangopadhyay

Pilgrimage indeed!
It took me a while to read the whole episode, a detail journey from 10th Sept until 1st October, blended with flavour of history - fascinating! The journey rekindled my love for Venice - I visited once only! I have always admired your tenacity and continue to do so....hats off Bob! You are an example to all of us!

10th October 2018

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Thanks everyone for your comments...
I must admit I felt like a failure, so your comments are an encouragement. Sorry about the length, but it was impossible to separate the blog into two or more coherent blogs as my decisions regarding the Via Francigena was interwoven throughout the whole time, from loosing my walking stick at the beginning to flying over Finisterre at the end.

10th October 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

A sign of things to come
I'm sorry you lost your walking stick. I imagine it held some good memories. I do believe things happen for a reason and we will never know what might have happen had you taken the walk but I'm glad you changed plans. Glad you made it to San Marino. We have not been to southern Italy but hope to follow in your footsteps at some point. You've had some nice reflection during this trip and I think you've closed the circle on the need for these trips. I imagine that feels like the goal is complete. Really enjoyed this blog. Thank you for sharing. MJ

10th October 2018

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Sign of things to come...
Yes, I have closed the circle on the need for pilgrimages. Another reason this is so, is that I don't really get into the spirit of a pilgrimage in just a week of walking. The Camino de Santiago was my best pilgrimage, indeed life, experience. Many return to walk the Camino again and again, but I am not the type to recreate experiences. There is so much more to see and do in this world.

10th October 2018

Ake Och Emma
Ake Dahllof and Emma Holmbro

Roman Water Works under the Trevi Fountain
Hi. Do you think you could tell me a bit more about this. I've been to Rome but have not heard of this. It sounds interesting and I'd like to see it next time I go to Rome. /Ake

10th October 2018

Home and Away
Bob Carlsen

Roman Water Works
With your back to the fountain walk towards the street to the left or the right exiting the plaza. The Roman Water Works are in the middle of the next block

11th October 2018

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

Amalfi Coast
Wow what an adventure! We caught a bus to the Amalfi Coast and it was a thrilling ride with many near misses. I'm very goal orientated too, so I understand how you feel about this... onwards and upwards :)

10th November 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Congratulations!
Sorry I'm a bit late to this blog entry. Congratulations indeed on your achievement of the Testimonium. I completely agree that you deserved it, the achievement should be related to the amount of time and effort a pilgrim puts into the walk, and it seems you have put plenty of both of those in. Well done! And what a remarkable time for the Parable of the Harvest Workers to come to you, sounds to my mind that this was meant to be. An enjoyable read altogether, thank you for writing up. It looks like you were able to see much of Italy, as well as achieving your third pilgrimage in a row. Well done Bob ?

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My Via Francigena Pilgrimage to Rome

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