MY PERIODIC TRAVEL LOG
Stephen has walked a total of 4,044 kms (2516 miles)

6 May 2007: Latest leg of Walk:  Rome to Ljubljiana (2nd to 26th April)

Countries visited:  Vatican City, Italy, San Marino, Slovenia.

Walked: 774 kms (483.75 miles), making a grand total of 4,044.6 kms (2,516 miles) from Ireland. This is approximately ONE TENTH of the circumference of the globe.

Breakdown of kms walked:  Italy 679.4, San Marino 10, Slovenia 84.6

Days walked: 24
Average per day:  32.25 km

Principal cities:  Rome, Todi, Assisi, Gubbio, Urbino, San Marino, Ravenna, Venice, Trieste, Ljubljiana
Most friendly town:  Gubbio

"Stephen is now seeking further funding in order to continue his walk"
19 April 2007:  Today in Mestre, industrial city on dry land opposite Venice.  Just did interview with local paper "La Nuova Venezia".  Hope to reach Slovenia in 4-5 days.
11 April 2007 - Have just reached Urbino where I'm staying with the Franciscan friars.  Have covered roughly 270 kms since leaving Rome on 2nd April.  Route has been Rome - Sacrofano - Civita Castellana - Amelia - Todi - Cantalupo - Assisi - Gubbio - Acqualagna - Urbino.

Friendliest town: Gubbio, but great reception on the ground almost everywhere.

To San Marino tomorrow, hope to hit Adriatic coast at Rimini Thursday.

Stephen is enroute to Rome, Italy, after a winter hibernation, to relaunch his walk around the world.
27 October 2006:  Stephen is back in Ireland taking a rest and getting to know his family once again.
9 October 2006:  Stephen has arrived in Rome and is looking forward to meeting the Pope within the near future.
7 October 2006:  In the area of Viterbo, Italy and about three days walk from reaching Rome, Italy.
1October 2006: Walking through the San Gimigniano area, famous for its many towers. Am presently about 280 kilometers from Rome.  I hope to arrive between 9 and 10 October. I have promise of ticket for general audience with Pope in St Peter,s Square.  If I get there early and get front row place there's a good chance of being pictured with his Holiness. 
28 September 2006:  Only 345 more kilometers to get to Rome.  Should be there 2nd week of October 2006.
24 September 2006:  Arrived in Borghetto di Vara.  I will be walking through Toscana in the coming days.  Only 438 kilometers more and I will be in Rome.
21 September 2006:  Arrived in the Genoa area and experienced some of the best hospitality yet.
14 September 2006: At 1645 Stephen entered into Italy and is now headed toward Rome, with what will hopefully be an audience with the Pope.  Entered at Ventimiglia-Latte, (Provincia di Imperia) Thur Sept 14th 4.45pm
13September 2006:  Have not been able to access the net, but am close to Italy and should be in should hit Italy tomorrow - Ventimiglia tomorrow or the next day.
8 September 2006:  Stayed at the French Foreign Legion Barracks at Puyloubier, located 23 kms east of Aix-en-Provence. Enjoyed a great welcome.
6 September 2006:  As of yesterday, Stephen has walked more in France than any other country!  He has now reached Aix-en-Provence in southern France, having finished Arles route.  Arles has an impressive Roman amphitheater and is associated with Van Gogh, who lived, painted and died here.  The weather has been hot and humid, over 30 degrees.  Still very good welcome along pilgrim route, was received by many friendly people yesterday.
4 September 2006:  Presently in Arles and changing the originally planned route a bit. New route will be via "Via Aurelia" via Aix-en-Provence, Frejus, then on to Menton on the Cote d'Azur by Monte Carlo and then on to the Italian border.
31 August 2006:  Stephen arrived in Montepellier, France yesterday evening.  Now on to the Italian Border!!
28 Aug 2006:  Stephen is in the tiny village of Joncels, located high in the mountains above the Mediterranean sea.  From here he saw the sea but, he states that it will be 3 to 4 days to arrive there.
25 August 2006:  18 August 2006:  Stephen is in the mountains 4 days walk from Montpelier, France. He will pass the 2,000 kilometer mark today.
16 August 2006:  Stephen is in the tiny village of L'Isle Arne and within two days walk of Toulouse, France.
14 August 2006:  Stephen reports that he is presently in the small town of Marciac, France, on the main Pilgrim route to Arles and then Italy.  Today he has traveled 41 kilometers.
11 August 2006:  Stephen is in Lourdes, France.
9 August 2006:  Arrived in the small town of Arette in France.  I am about 2 days from Lourdes.
6 August: Stephen has crossed the Pyrenees and has entered France and is near St. Jean Pied de Port
2 August: Stephen arrived at Logrono in Spain, to restart his worldwide walk enroute to  Estella / Lizarra.
Stephen has departed Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand, en route back to Logrono, Spain from which point he will re-initiate his World Wide Walk on 1 August 2006, starting at the same location in Spain where he left off!  The reason for his return to Thailand was to terminate his employment with the College where he taught English Literature for many years and to partake in the Phuket, Thailand Marathon, which brought additional sponsorship for his favorite charity at http://www.mercycentre.org/index.html  He will travel by way of Ireland, where he will finalize the setting up of the Charitable Foundation that he has formed and of course the corresponding Bank Account at eh Bank of Ireland located in Dublin.
Monday, 15 May 2006:  Stephen is back in Kamphaeng Phet, Thailand and is in the process of training for the Marathon in Phuket, Thailand, where he will run in the hope of raising immediate donations for the Human Development Foundation in Bangkok, Thailand.  This is an agency...... well take a look yourself at this link........  Stephen is also still seeking a corporate sponsor that can help offset his daily expenses while walking around the world. If you know of someone that may be interested in providing such sponsorship, please be kind enough let us know at sponsor@world-wide-walk.org and we will approach them.
Tuesday, 9 May 2006:  Stephen has taken a break and is en route back to Thailand, for the express purpose of training and then taking part in the Phuket Marathon on 18 June 2006, where he will represent the Human Development Foundation in Bangkok, Thailand.  Then after a short break, Stephen will return to Logorno, Spain, to restart his world wide walk, from the the exact location where he temporarily stopped.
Here are the stats on my walking within Spain:

Total walked (Finisterra to Logronyo): 702.92 kms (439.325 miles)

Walking days in Spain: 18

Average per day: 39.05 kms (24.4 miles)

Friendliest town:  Molinaseca (Leon)

Highest point: Cruz de Fierro (Leon), 1,517 metres (4,950 ft)Monday, 8 May 2006:  Arrived in Logorno last night.  

There was no coverage therefore no telephonic contact.  I have walked almost 1,300 kilometers.  About 240 more kilometers which equals to roughly one week and I will be entering France
Saturday, 6 May 2006: Sending updated photos from an Internet Cafe.  I was unable to give them individual titles, but all were taken across Spain between Santiago, Galicia to here in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, Rioja.  Walked 34 kms today for a total of around 1,241 kms. 
Friday, 5 May 2006:  Traveled 30.0 km  from Burgos today to Villafranca in heavy rains and thundershowers.
Thursday, 4 May 2006:  Have arrived at Burgos.  Raining at present.
Wednesday, 3 May 2006: Arrived at the small village of Itero last night.  The Pilgrim hostel had e-mail access there! I am one day from Burgos, which is the largest city in central Spain.  Hope to be able to send new photos tomorrow.  Have now completed 1,115.78 kms, 697.36 miles, since inception of the trip.  Have met people with over 22 nationalities along the way!  OK no more time to chat.  It is 7.15 am and I must get on the road.
Monday, 1 May 2006:  Arrived in another very small village called Calzadilla de la Cueza in Palencia Province.  All is well!
Sunday, 30 April 2006:  Arrived in the tiny village of El Burgo Ranero on the Spanish Meseta. Here it is like the like Russian steppes. I will be sleeping in a refuge tonight.  There is a kind of surreal circus in town, with llamas, goats, ponies and other animals running around.  Passed the 1,000 kilometers mark this morning. Now at 1,026 kms.
Saturday, 29 April 2006:  Arrived Leon today right on schedule, beautiful city.  I am enjoying magnificent weather, great art and excellent cuisine.  Only snag is Monday is a Holiday, so it is a long weekend with most places shut.  So I will be unable to send updated pictures or even charge up phone with cash.  Will try to send from Burgos in 3-4 days time. Today is a "rest day", just strolled the 8 kms down to Leon and enjoyed the city´s art and hospitality. Have now walked a total of around 990 kms, so will pass the 1,000 km mark tomorrow!
Friday, 28 April 2006:  Greetings from the tiny village of Sant Cataline de Somoza. Sorry for the lack of contact. Walking in very high mountain passes. Presently on Meseta, which is fairly level and will remain so until I will hit the Pyrenees. Met some really wonderful people and made some great contacts.  Will send new photos when I arrive at Leon, which is the next big city.
Thursday, 27 April 2006:  Over another range of mountains and down to flatter "Meseta".  Slept in pilgrim refuge in tiny village of Santa Catalina de Somoza.
Wednesday, 26 April 2006:  Down through valley of El Bierzo to small town of Molinaseca where I met my friend Ignaki from Navarre.  I ended up sleeping in a pilgrim refuge.
Tuesday, 25 April 2006:  Doing Great, walking over some mountains today that on the map seem to be part of a range called "Cordillera Cantabrica".  They peak out at about 1,300 meters (4,000 feet) above sea level.  Hope to have a good days travel.
Monday, 24 April 2006:  I had some problem with the TREO but, everything seems OK now.  I am in Sarria, in northwestern Spain at the moment (Galiacia) and am heading for Samos Monastery. Once there should be able to get a good sleep there. Weather and my health are fine.  Confirm receipt of last batch of photos on Saturday.
Sunday, 23 April 2006:  Cotinued through green countryside of Galicia, fine weather.  Long walk, almost 50 kms.  Slept in pilgrim refuge in tiny village of Hospital.
Saturday, 22 April 2006:  Back in Santiago having walked 90 kms from Finisterre, all well!  Some have asked me why go to Santander and than "double back" to restart from Finisterre.  The answer is that Santander has no significance for the Walk, it is simply the port of entry into Spain.  The Walk, having covered Ireland, Wales and England, restarts from Finisterre, the mythical "End of the World", the ending point of all the ancient pilgrim routes of Europe.  Ahead is a landmass that extends all the way to Singapore, more than 10,000 miles away!
Thursday, 20 April 2006:  Restarted today from Finisterra, the "Lighthouse at the End of the World", most western point of Galicia in north west Spain.  For the next few weeks I´ll be walking almost due east towards the Pyrenees, often staying in "refugios", special lodgings for pilgrims heading to or from Santiago de Compostela.  Only 17 kms. (11 miles) today as I started late. No other town for next 20 miles or so, staying in village of Cee, in quarters shared with local fire and emergency services.  Weather good, feet OK, two more days to Santiago de Compostela, 90 kms from Finisterra.
Wednesday, 19 April 2006:  Here is some information just cause I have nothing to do but walk walk and walk........
Stats for 1st 16 days (Ireland-Wales-England)
 
Days walked:          16/16
Countries:              3:  Ireland, Wales, England. 
Distance walked:     Ireland:  39.73 kms, 24.83 miles
                            Wales:   330.55 kms, 206.59 miles
                            England: 271.78 kms, 136.11 miles
 
Total:                    588.06 kms, 367.53 miles
 
Average per day:     36.75 kms, 22.97 miles
 
Friendliest towns:    Ireland:      Clane (of course cause it is my home town!)
                            Wales:        Machynlleth, Powys 
                            England:      Tedburn St. Mary´s, Devon
Tuesday, 18 April 2006:  Contact at last!  I´ve been walking so much in United Kingdom have not had time or opportunity since Bristol, passing through very small towns and almost always arriving very late in the day.  The Brits close everything early, in Spain things are open much later, so should be able to send more messages.  Arrived in Santander on ferry from Plymouth yesterday at midday.  Now at Santiago de Compostela.  Restart from Finisterra, the mythical "End of the World", tomorrow on 19 April 2006.  Tell the folks supporting us to keep it up and I will also!!
Wednesday, 12 April 2006: At Cheddar yesterday, famous for cheese and spectacular caves and the gorge,  Weather has been terrible, raining hard and very windy.  Had to quit early yesterday, but, it seems better today.  I am now heading towards Tauntan.
Monday, 10 April 2006:  Here in Bristol 3 days ahead of schedule. Beautiful area with very hospitable people.  Across the impressive Severn Bridge to Bristol, the first English town.
Sunday, 9 April 2006:  By the old coach road, now a pleasant back road, from Abergavenny towards Monmouth, then on the Offa's Dike Path Chepstow, the last town in Wales, once a fortified enclave on the Severn estuary.
Saturday, 8 April 2006:  I am trekking through the Black Mountains to the Usk Valley and then the long descent to Abergavenny, in lower, rolling country.  Today I was chosen as Charity Hero 1, by the Irish Daily Star newspaper.  This makes me quite proud but, more importantly, I hope that it will help spread the word about what I am doing and allow others to share in my quest of raising fund for AIDS Orphans.  I have met many charitable people on my travels thus far.  In addition to receiving donations from people I met while walking, we have also received contributions through our donation button. Please continue being generous and
Friday 7th April:  Following the valley of the river Wye, through forest to the bigger town of Builth Wells.  Finally the tiny village of Llyswen, where the local inn owner put me up for free.
Thursday 6th April:  Down to the market town of Llanidloes, situated on the river Severn, then over a mountain pass to Rhayader, another small market town.
Wednesday, 5 April:  By mountain tracks to the slate quarrying village of Corris, then on by road to Machynlleth, in time for the weekly market.  Then over a mountain pass to high sheep-raising country, no accommodation available, but a shopkeepers phoned a farmhouse and a Mrs Rhys put me up for the night, while her husband tended to the birth of new lambs.
Tuesday, 4 April 2006: Had a very good day yesterday with much better weather while traveling through Snowdonia. Stayed at the Oakley Arms, near Flestiniog, a very small village with great hospitality. By forested roads to Dolgellau, the main town in this area, in cool, but, clear weather.  Reached "Cross Foxes" at end of day only to find that the hotel there was closed.  Directed to beautiful Fronoleu Country Hotel, under the shadow of impressive Cawder Idris mountain. 
Monday, 3 April:  Through Snowdonia, fair weather and wonderful views, to Beddgelert and the tiny village of Rhys, where I met sculptress Margeth Pendrell.  She guided me to the only lodgings in the area.  Arrived Caernarfon late last night after long walk across the island of Anglesea in heavy rain.  Very rough crossing from Ireland on ferry with 30 foot waves, much broken crockery, ceiling collapsed in places!  So far, have walked just over 90k (56 miles), 2 countries, around 119,000 steps!  Heading for mountains today, very small villages, so may be out of contact for 4-5 days. 
Sunday, 2 April: Wet, windy day across the island of Anglesea, almost everything was closed, reached Mennai bridge around dusk, no lodging available, carried on in the dark to Caernarfon, a city with a famous castle.  Found very good Bed & Breakfast.
Saturday, 1 April:  Started from Clane, Co. Kildare, Ireland.  Great send-off from friends and neighbours, first stop the K Club, venue for next Ryder Cup Golf Tournament, where I was invited to tea and sandwiches.  Then followed the Grand Canal to Dublin, heavy hail showers held me up, my brother John, accompanied me on his bike.  Arrived to ferry port just late for 9.05 pm sailing, but got next boat at 7.30 am, and experienced a very rough crossing.


"TOGETHER FOR A BETTER FUTURE"