Into the Unknown

Day 3 on the Via di Francesco

It wasn’t the best night’s sleep, the bed was comfortable butmy brain was far too active. In the end I was up by 04:30. My first train wasn’t until 05:52 so I had time for Morning Prayer and my Community Obedience. It reminded me of days on the Camino de Santiago when I payed and watched the dawn break.

I reminded myself of yesterdays thought about not being anxious about things and also the message from my Novice Guardian “Yes one step at a time dear Philip”.

It was then an overground train and an underground train before checking in for my Eurostar journey. It was ok so far this was familiar terriory things I had done before.

Today’s uncertainty began at the EU Check. The border police person who never spoke spent ages trying to read my passport on his machine, even checking in another booth beore silently beckoning me through. Will I have problems getting back I thought.

The day felt like a day of moving from the familiar to the unfamiliar. I was confused about where to get the Metro from Paris Gare du Nord to Paris Gare de Lyon. When I got there there didn’t seem enough time to find the next train though in hindsight there was plenty.

Then began a long but beautiful journey through the French Countryside. Flat landscapes changing to rolling hills and then to spectacular mountain views. I defintely felt I was now outside of my comfort zone of the familiar.

Sunshine and occasional showers changed as we exited the mountains into Italy. Everything seemed grey. I was struggling to stay awake but couldn’t sleep in case I missed my next connection. As night fell it was difficult to feel enthusiasm.

It was nighttime when I got to Florence and my brain had almost shut down. I managed to find my hostel and check in. I was happy with my bed and lay for a while before falling asleep.

In hindsight London to Florence in a day was a bit stressful especially with one of the journeys having a twenty-five minute delay. I think the stres was just about the tiredness though.

I had arrived and knew that the next day I had plenty of time to relax and prepare for my walk.