Heavy rains were predicted this morning, so last evening we made the decision to sleep late. We had planned to leave our lodging around 9am.
Our discussion at breakfast led us to make plans to return home. Yes, we are stopping this pilgrimage early. This one has always been different insofar as we never had a firm end destination that was particularly meaningful.
Many factors fueled that decision but the bottom line is we are just ready to be home. Of course that meant we had plans to make such as flights back home, hotels accommodations, and train/bus schedules. Life is never dull.
We headed out at about 9:30am and hit the pavement.
Most of our walk today was on streets and some very busy roads. Only a few drivers honked their horns at us. Good news is that we survived walking along those busy roads. We also walked along some side streets in neighborhoods.
Surrounding us as we walked were many vineyards along the sides of steep cliffs. The mountains in the background were beautiful.
The last hour of our walk the wind whipped around us and the rain came down. Wow, it was dramatic.
Just before entering Martigny we walked along the Via Francigena (London-Rome) route that Allison and I walked in 2021.
Just before arriving at the church which would be our lodging tonight. As we arrived, the sun came out and the rain stopped. I like to think that God was happy with our decision to stay here again as we did in 2021 when we walked on the Via Francigena.
Here is a fun 2021-2025 photo comparison. Everything is the same except Mona is replaced with Nadine
Tomorrow we start the 6day journey home.
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OnceLostTrio 
Das kommt aber überraschend das ihr den Pilgerweg vorzeitig beendet Es ist bestimmt kein Zufall, sondern sollte so sein. Wir wünschen euch eine gute Heimreise. Gott segne euch.
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Wenn es nur Allison und ich gewesen wären, hätten wir weitergemacht. Aber wir widmeten diese Pilgerreise all denen, die wir unterwegs trafen, und irgendwie hatten wir das Gefühl, dass diese Zeit vorbei war. Es ist schwer zu erklären, aber ich weiß, du wirst es verstehen.
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Good Luck on your journey home! We certainly have enjoyed following your trip and safe travels back home. God Speed!!!!
The Peiffers
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Looking forward to being home.
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Ihr Lieben, wir die Herberge in Märstetten und ich,Monika, wünschen Euch eine gute Heimreise, bleibt gesund und genießt noch viele weitere Pilgerwege. Alles Liebe und Gute für Euch, Monika
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Thank you so much for following.
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Wow. News I didn’t expect, but happy you all are safe and made the decision that is best for you. Will you keep walking until your flight home? or walk to the city you are flying out of? Enjoy the final days. I hope the weather is great for the rest of your journey.
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It surprised us as well. But it was not full of angst. I think we all just knew.
I think today’s update will answer your question. 🙂
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Safe travels on the way back! I know that decision was not taken lightly. But life is an adventure, we don’t have to stick to our plans! Will miss the views of the alps, but that also means we can hike together sooner! Just in time for fall!
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Excited to have you coming home…but probably not as excited as two beautiful little girls… he will want to see if granddaddy‘s beard is as long as the goats! Safe travels! Love you. Carmen
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Well done! Yes, we’ll miss the daily postings and videos, but your wisdom to know when to end is commendable. Traveling mercies and adjustment to home are prayed for you now. Thanks for allowing us to follow you on this journey and documenting it so well.
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Thank you
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it’s been a great trip!
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Nice staged photo of the Via Francigina compared to this year’s Camino. Praying for safe travels and the transition to non-pilgrim life.
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It was a fun shot. Mona really liked it.
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