Saturday and Sunday

My last day in Ballina was hot and steamy, I had the energy for absolutely nothing. My day was spent reading and relaxing with my Aunt and giving moral support to my Uncle who worked hard on a project outside. My afternoon flight was delayed so I arrived in Sydney as the sun went down and the rain started. Seeing the Harbour and the City is always breathtaking as you fly into Sydney, but the clouds this afternoon were especially majestic. It felt wonderful to be arriving almost home.

I caught the train to North Sydney and a taxi to a friends house. There were fireworks on the Harbour, pizza and wine and the Blues Brothers movie, perfect.

In the morning my friend and her son took me to the Mary MacKillop Memorial Chapel. I thought the best way for me to end my Pilgrimage was to attend a Mass, as you would in Spain. Saint Mary of the Cross is Australia’s first Saint having been canonised in 2010. As we walked into the area to the side of the Chapel where Mary’s Tomb is located the first thing that struck me was the inscription. “Remember we are but travellers here” I felt a rush of emotion as if that inscription had been placed there just for me.

The Mass is opened with an acknowledgment of country read by one of the Sisters, this is the original lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. The Sisters of Saint Joseph made a statement of apology to the first peoples in 1999. There is a strong female presence about the chapel with more female saints featuring in the stained glass and many of the Sisters participating throughout the Mass along side a priest. The singing was beautiful with a pianist a soloist and a packed congregation in full voice. At the end of the Mass people line up to have a special moment at the tomb of Saint Mary, all ages and nationality kneel and place their hands on the tomb some stay a few seconds others longer most rise and touch the bronze statue of Saint Mary nearby. Most write on small pieces of paper provided to make Thanksgiving or Statements these are left in the boxes provided. People arrive with flowers for the small area around the bronze of Saint Mary.

At the front of the chapel is a statue of Mary welcoming pilgrims, I take another tour of the museum. I have been fascinated with Mary McKillop since my first visit over 10 years ago now. Mary traveled to New Zealand in 1894 and actually traveled to Hawke’s Bay where I grew up, there was a Josephite community in the tiny area known as Meeanee, where I spent a year as a teenager.

Next I head down to Milsons Point for lunch with a friend it’s a lovely Sydney day and it’s wonderful to be near the harbour again. Lunch is very good and a perfect way to end my brief time back in a Sydney before a ferry and train and car ride to home.

I can only get as far as Springwood by train as there has been a landslide with all the rain, causing damage to the tracks. I could get a bus but Ron comes down to collect me, I feel like I am being chauffeured to home, Blackie my cat is pleased to see me and actually comes downstairs when I call him. I got a lovely surprise at home as Ron has made me my own scallop shell for my Camino, we go out for a lovely meal together, it’s great to be home and my heart is full.

Distance Traveled 900KM

Distance Walked 7KM

Postscript

Monday: food shopping, cooking, writing, unpacking, washing, talking to Ron, talking to Blackie, watching the birds, dinner with friends.

Head still in the clouds!

Post Postscript

I set out on this my Australian Pilgrimage to take time to reflect on all the change in my life and to celebrate Australia. I have achieved both of these over the last 43 days but the experiences that sit with me now are not just the sights I have seen or the roads I have traveled. They are the exquisite human moments of sharing stories with a complete stranger for even just the briefest of time. Stories and emotions that I have witnessed are among my most treasured of this my Australian Pilgrimage.

Thank you so much Ron, who had been so supportive of my pilgrimage and to family and friends who I have stayed with and dined with it’s been wonderful to spend time together.

Thank you for traveling along with me it has really added to my journey by writing about my experiences. I am touched that people have enjoyed reading these posts and I wish you happiness and health as you make your way, life is a pilgrimage I hope you enjoy yours!

With love and kindness

Sharise Watson