• Carolyn Hyde
  • Carolyn Hyde

I think I’ll Walk

Re Join me as I continue my walking pilgrimage from Pontalier in France, through Switzerland, Italy and down to Rome . Approximately 1300km. 2025 I will restart the journey and begin at the end Rome. Come along. Who knows what life will bring. Read more
  • Trip start
    May 23, 2024

    Ponderings on To be a Pilgrim

    May 24, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    My footsteps on the path align with my breath, my body, and my mind, to become one with presence in the now.
    The pack on my back reminds me of burdens that I must bear with a glad heart.
    the solitude is no burden, only joy, a time to reflect, grow, and learn to love and be at one with myself.
    Step after step, day after day, is to remember those who I have lost
    Mile after mile allows me to put distance between who I was and who I am now.
    The simplicity of walking allows the mind to slow and remember the destination and what I can be.
    Each person I meet restores my faith in humanity and the power of kindness.
    The daily routine gives comfort in the familiar while the external is ever changing.
    The journey allows me to know who I am. The pain and suffering make me strong.
    The miles give me strength to know I can
    The destination is but the beginning
    Caro Nov 2022
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  • Geneva to Pontarlier by train

    June 3, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    A day of travelling from Geneva to Pontarlier. Left Geneva Switzerland exactly on time at 1005hrs by electric train. Change at Neuchatel to embark at Pontarlier in France. Pretty good trip considering everything is in French and everyone is French speaking. And pastries galore. I got my first pilgrim stamp so i have officially started the via Francigena.Read more

  • Day 1 Pontarlier to saint Croix

    June 4, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    First day on the trail and it has given us everything from beautiful calm cool morning at 7am start with fantastic views and sunshine turn by lunchtime it was full on rain with thunder storms sheltering in a bus shelter for a lunch break and we were only 15km into our 25km day. Yes you guessed it it was uphill in a serious way to finish the day.
    707m elevation, 23.5km 6hrs 14 min
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  • Day 2 Saint croix to Orbe

    June 5, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    The day started with a really nice breakfast of home artisan bread with coffee of course. Not feeling too bad after yesterday and hiking in the rain. Mostly walking down hill with 900m descent and only 230m ascent.
    A day walking through forest where I saw 2 deer, along a Roman road , walking through farmland with cows with bells on ( I find the sound quite soothing surprisingly) and then through vineyards with the grapes just starting to form. The other thing i quite like is the wild flowers tend to be predominantly red poppies. Arrived in Orbe with tired legs and sore feet. 23.02km in 6hrs 26min
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  • Day 3 Orbe to Cossonay

    June 6, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    What a beautiful days walk. Most of it was through beautiful peaceful Forrest. 500m elevation in the first 2hrs. What a way to start. Found a great lunch spot in the Forrest. The shaded path was very much appreciated then it was down through vineyards to the river and mostly flat or down hill until about 5 km from the end it was out in the hot afternoon sun … and uphill. One tick and one dead mouse today. An excellent view from my hotel window of the French alps on the far side of lac Leman. Pretty tired so an early night for me. 26.6km 7hrs17min.Read more

  • Day 4 Cossonay to Lausanne

    June 7, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    23 km as I am staying the night at the youth hostel Jeunotel instead of another couple of km all the way to central Lausanne. The day started with funicular ride down the hill instead of walking the dirt path down. Then gradual climb through farmland and Forrests. Saw a guy painting a mural on a wall of one of the old community washing fountains. Then it was down hill to follow the river. There were lots of people out walking and running. Then all of a sudden the path came out at Lac Leman with a fabulous view of the Swiss and French alps. Lots of people out and about. So I sat down and had my first ice cream. Not as good as the Italian gelato but I enjoyed it nevertheless The kindergarten children were sleeping on the grass on sleeping mats in the park with their Nannie’s. On the whole it felt like an easy day due to the lack of any mega hills. So all good. No ticks only ducks, swans, and crows. I think I even heard a woodpecker. I’m looking forward to walking along the lake front and vineyards with unripe grapes.Read more

  • Day 5 - Pres de Vidy to Vevey

    June 8, 2023 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    The day began with waterfront walk. There were lots of people out exercising and going to work. I met #trailangels Stephan and Monica who bought me an ice cream and we have a neat chat about a charity they are involved in #Help-for-Hope. Then the day got reasonably hard as it was straight up not just one but twice. It felt like I climbed Everest but it was only a total of 500m ( I’m sure the sun wasn’t as hot as in the vineyards. 26.6km todayRead more

  • Interlude

    August 31, 2023 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    After having to push the pause button on my pilgrimage it is now clear that next year I will be able to continue from where I left off and even if I have to crawl I will arrive in Rome. Lessons learnt and changes made, all going well April 2024 will see me back on the trail. ⛰️🏃‍♂️👏🏽 so watch this space.Read more

    Trip end
    November 1, 2024