This Is Not The Way To Happiness. Happiness Is The Way-Week 2 Najera-Castrojeriz, Spain

Diary Of A Travelling Gypsy Girl- Week 1 Bilbao-Najera, Spain

The Way Of St.James-Spain

 Have you ever found your self day dreaming, imagining what your life would be like if you packed up your bags and took to the road for an endless life of travel. Im talking about giving it all up and leaving it all behind with little more then good intentions and the clothes on your back. I know what your all thinking, isn't this what you have spent the last year of your life doing? Well not exactly. In the end anyone can jet, rail and drive there way travelling around Europe, but its not everyday you take the plunge and walk your way through a country. After exploring the depth of so many different countries I still yearned for something more. Which is why along with James and our good friend and housemate Burra (Jake) we decided our plan of action for the summer would be to walk The Camino De Santiago. 

The Way of St. James (The Camino De Santiago) is the name of the many pilgrimage routes that all lead to the great cathedral in Santiago de Compostela where it is believed that the remains of St. James were put to rest. In medieval times it was the most important  Christian pilgrimage, a popular route for many monks who would leave there homes and make there way to Santiago de Compostela. In todays day and age the routes are travelled by many modern-day pilgrims from around the world. 

Where does a Pilgrim begin there quest to Santiago?

There are many starting points all over Europe where you can begin your journey. We were told there is no right or wrong way, as all paths will lead you on the right track to where it is you should be at that moment in time. A popular starting point for most Pilgrims is in the Basque region of France just above the boarder of Spain. After extensive research and number crunching we decided the best place for us all to start our lives as the three walking Pilgrims was from Pamplona in Spain, another popular starting point amoungst the Pilgrims. Pamplona to Santiago de Compostela is approximately a 700km walk which broken down into days is a 30-40 day hike. 

So we weren't exactly looking at a stroll in the park, as a matter of fact I wasn't exactly sure what we were looking at. After extensive months of indulging in far to much food and drink, living what I like to call 'an alternative life style' as a posed to what others might call 'reckless and borderline alcoholic living' I was more then concerned at where this new road might take us. So for me this next big adventure was to be handled in only one matter. Hold your breath, take a jump in the deep end, paddle like you have never paddled before, try not to drown and in the end if all else fails remember to float. 

Show me the way,

The Wanderer's Daughter xx 

To You I Owe The Time Of My Life- Manchester, Engalnd

What can I say about the time I have had in this amazing city. There are countless pictures that speak countless words, countless memories that even with large amounts of alcohol I can and will still always remember. The one thing I can say to sum up my time here is this

 ' I have learned a lot of great lessons from a few fucked up people'. 

All from completely different walks of life in the 'real world' non of us have any business being with each other. Lucky this isn't the real world where we play pretend behind white picket fences. This is our world, our life. Where we hate ourselves every morning for doing the crazy dumb things we continue to do every night. This is my world, my family, my home, for the last six months this has been all I have had and I couldn't have asked for anything more. 

Like they say all good things must come to an end. We have all come to a point where we are all about to spread our wings and fly. There are grand new adventures awaiting for all of us, on new paths we have chosen for ourselves. Non of the less this isn't goodbye I know this story has an alternative ending ,one I hope we keep writing for many years to come. 

We learn, We grow and We breathe. This is life, I am not sure if i am doing it right but I am going to continue on anyway. 

I am an extremely proud Australian but in my heart of hearts I will always be a Mancunian.

Peace out Manchester,

The Wanderer's Daughter xx

With Love From Veneza- Venice. Italy

Pieced together by 118 tiny islands separated by canals and carefully pieced together by bridges the iconic Italian 'Floating city' is said to be slowly but surely sinking, so a must do before I die, but more importantly before I leave Europe was to see the World Heritage Listed city of Venice. (Not that I needed an excuse for another opportunity to delve into the delights of such an extraordinary country like Italy) Having a couple of days to spare we decided to do what we seem to do best, pack our bags and escape.

Arriving into the city from the airport by boat was like living in a surreal movie, as we approached land being greeted by rows of carefully crafted gondolas and soft gothic styled buildings. The warm vibrant feel in the air put an immediate smile on our faces. Finally I was back in Italy a country I fell deeply in love with throughout our summer travelling Europe. 

Unlike the likes of Florence and Rome there wasn't anything in particular we felt we needed to see whilst we where in Venice. We were more happy to focus all of our time on becoming ever so lost amongst the tiny little lane way streets and canals in an attempt to find as many delicious places to feast. Our soon regular hot spot was Alfredo's- Fresh Pasta To Go a tiny family run pasta shop where you order traditional homemade pasta sauces to go with your preference of homemade pasta, which as the name suggests is served up to go in a takeaway wok box.

Despite many people warning us that Venice was rather dirty, I found it to be nothing put picture perfect. With every turn there was something new to marvel at. As gondolas floated pass serenading there passengers, making there way through carefully crafted bridges and passing by timeless buildings whilst I sat around in the sunshine eating gelati was bellissimo.  

Venice was one of the cities I have visited that was exactly how I had imagined it to be. Beautiful in every way possible it left us with romantic flutters as we watched the sunset over one of the most graceful cities I have seen, leaving it behind by boat was the perfect ending to our short time away. Arrivederci Italia. 

The Wanderer's Daughter xx