An important message from the Australian Cancer Research Foundation

To all my friends and Fans on Facebook -- and to all readers of The Way of Stars and Stones - Thoughts on a pilgrimage, to all friends and supporters and admirers and fans of the amazing Terrie Baxter, as well as anyone who would like to make a donation to Cancer Research, please note the Following:

When you go online at the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, click on The Stars and Stones Fund to make your donation, and, as Claire McArthur requests below, kindly ensure that the code #REF200 is included in the description field for any deposits so we can identify the funds have come from your fundraiser as opposed to any other deposits we may receive.

Thank you so much for your donations, and for your cooperation!

Buen Camino!

Wilna

Good Morning Wilna,


I have allocated a reference number for your fundraising #REF200.
Can you please ensure that the code #REF200 is included in the description field for any deposits so we can identify the funds have come from your fundraiser as opposed to any other deposits we may receive?

Many thanks and looking forward to hearing from you soon.


Kind Regards,

Claire

Claire McArthur
Australian Cancer Research Foundation
T: 02 9223 7833 F: 02 9223 1800 W

See the latest leukemia breakthrough discovered by our funded researchers at Australian Cancer Research Foundation

Every dollar of every donation received by this Foundation goes to cancer research.

Experience shows that the spirit is nothing but awareness. -- Rumi

Sunrise on a winter's morning on the Camino

A Reader's message --

"Thanks for the loan of the book. I read it in four sittings from
Saturday through to Monday. I became more engrossed than I originally
thought I would be. Wilna is a good writer but I particularly liked
her musings on people and her connectedness with nature. I plan to buy
a copy to pass on to a friend who went on a pilgrimage last year" -- TB Australia

A lifetime searching for perfection
is not a wasted life
– Pierre Wilkinson

Pelgrimstog pragtig beskryf Stoffel Cilliers in Volksblad vir Book SA - Reviews

Review in Die Volksblad

THE WAY OF STARS AND STONES. Thoughts on a Pilgrimage. Deur Wilna Wilkinson. Jacana Media. Sagteband. R175.

VOLGENS oorlewering het die apostel Jakobus die evangelie in Spanje verkondig en het Herodes hom in 44 n.C. laat onthoof. Sy oorskot is in die Spaanse stad Santiago de Compostela begrawe (p. 21).

Reeds voor die tiende eeu n.C. het meer as ’n miljoen mense jaarliks die pelgrimspad na Santiago – die Camino – hoofsaaklik om godsdienstige redes geloop, deesdae is dit tot 100 000 pelgrims elke somersdag.

In Mei 2006 ontvang Wilna Wilkinson (57) ’n ontstellende SMS uit Australië: Haar beste vriendin, Terrie, word weens maagkanker geopereer. Dadelik besluit Wilkinson sy gaan die Camino loop: alleen; in die winter; 800 km ver. Só wys Wilkinson vir Terrie sy stry saam met haar teen haar kanker.

Op 10 Februarie 2008 begin haar bedevaart in Frankryk. En Terrie, wat eers “onbehandelbaar” gelyk het, word deur ’n wonderwerk “onverklaarbaar skoon”.

Verskeie hoofstukke, soos die een oor klippe, en ’n ander oor bagasie, is netjies gestruktureerde essays.

Wilkinson vertel goed en beskryf uitstekend. Sy beeld die kosmopolitiese pelgrims met hul eiesoortige dialoog asof op ’n immerbewegende verhoog voor die leser uit. Daar is die mooiste natuurbeskrywings en die interessantste pelgrimslegendes. Rillingwekkend vertel sy hoe sy en Akir, ’n reisgenoot, die duiwel ontmoet het. Dan weer hoe die heilige Jakobus self haar gehelp het.

Dikwels beklemtoon Wilkinson sy het die bedevaart onderneem om ’n “geestelike” rede, nie ’n godsdienstige nie. Eindelik erken sy dat God nie meer vir haar betekenis het nie.
Ná haar bedevaart verwys sy na die natuur as haar “skepper” wat groter is as sy. Met dieselfde verdraagsaamheid waarmee sy al die uiteenlopende beskouinge van haar
medepelgrims bejeën het, neem ’n mens kennis van haar standpunt. Maar tog ook met veel jammerte.

– Stoffel Cilliers, vryskutresensent

- Volksblad

A reflection...

The road to paradise is made up of little steps, on a mostly dirt path, with earwigs and moss scattered about, guarded by a few armadillos and the occasional lonely pine, beautified mostly with wild dandelion flowers and dusty moths, within earshot of crickets that have no concept of when they should actually be singing. But hey, we're talking about the road to paradise....

-- from The Universe

A beautiful message from a reader of The Way of Stars and Stones

Hi Wilna and Terrie,

Great excitement as I finished reading "The Way of Stars and Stones" early this morning - what a book - what a journey.

As soon as I received it I wanted to start reading - however - life was busy so I left the reading until November.

Each morning I would eagerly await the light of dawn so I could read another chapter, the Illawarra sun would glisten outside my bedroom window on the flaming red blooms of my Illawarra Flame tree - the first time this tree has burst forth in such glory in 40 years, the red and green King Parrot would be whistling in the trees and the Wattle birds would be calling - I knew it was time to start reading - I wanted to read more - but also I wanted it to be a journey as well - imaging each day as you also woke to each day of your Camino journey.


Wilna I so enjoyed your descriptive passages - that helped to transport me into your world of walking the track, at first I though it would be a physical journey of your 40 days - 850km walk. Then I realised all the side issues and events that come with such a trek, and loved the way you handled the to and fro-ing of your thoughts as well as your physical walk.

As you said " The Ultimate luxury is having the language with which to express yourself" and this you did so well - I felt like I should still be in ITC to give a lexicology session on all your wonderful words! Your selection of quotes for each chapter were so thoughtful and appropriate. My imagination ran riot with so many of your stories - whether they were the ones about the Devil - to how you were going to use your Pepper Spray to protect yourself. Perhaps also because I know you and this adds to my imagination of you in this situation - that at times I laughed out loud, other times my tears came to the surface for you. Do you still have a supply of honey and gunpowder?? How are your feet now - do you have any permanent damage from this amazing walk?

At times I felt like taking a paint brush to paint what you described - "a pale cream stone house with blue shutters, pretty pots with pretty flowers., shiny window panes and whale song spilling out of the open doors."

How did you ever survive that hurricane in Cruz de Ferro? Such a great image created of your feather duster poncho -ripped to shreds by those winds. I am sure if you went of the TV Show "Survivor" you would win the $1,000,000 hands down!

The eeriness of those thick mists - -"shrouding everything in a white cashmere blanket"- the picture you painted "as little dust devils darted mischievously across the fields...". I had some idea of you in a dormitory of 29 male cyclists - as the only time I have done backpacking - the trip from Perth to Darwin in 2007 I had to share a dorm with 4 and one was a male and
I found that confronting - but 29 of them!!!!!!

I so enjoyed your ending and your wonderful photos - which I imagine you have so many of - they will be so precious - of all your days travelling so far. At times I became confused with where your were at - but then your little Camino shell would put me back on track with your story as well.

How great to have such an insight into people and their ways Wilna - I am so pleased that your achievements have helped so many. May Terrie, Thorsten, Kamil & Akira keep that connection going.

I was thrilled when I received your gift ( and yes Terrie - when I can pin you down - I will get the Cancer Foundation donation to you ) and more thrilled to read your story and to participate in a small way in your journey - I still have your Camino emails and marvel at the energy you must have gathered from somewhere to write them as well on that journey of a lifetime.

I am sure my daughter and sisters will enjoy this book as well.

Thanks again Terrie and Wilna

No messing about with the following words - I Finished your book in the early hours of this morning - what a great read, you have given me the inspiration to walk the Camino and also to walk it alone. Thank you for sharing your many stories. CE, France

Why walk alone? Look at the Pilgrim Statistics and tell me if you still wonder!

Many people who have read The Way of Stars and Stones - Thoughts on a pilgrimage, write to me to ask what possessed me to walk the Camino in winter and did I not find walking alone very lonely. To a large degree I answer the first question in the book -- it is very much a personal choice and not everyone is as fortunate as I was to have the luxury of time and choice of dates as I had, and the answer to the second question is a categoric "NO!" Most people find it a frightening thought to be on their own -- especially for such a long period and in such a vast and uninhabited space. But think about it -- if you had the choice of walking alone or walking with a hundred people in your sights in front of you -- the next person only ten metres ahead, and a hundred people fast approaching from the back -- the next person only ten metres behind you, which would you choose? Think of the litter and the pollution. Think of the number of refuges and beds and having to queue up for shelter and for food. Think of the noise, the crowding, the invasion of your mediation and reflection time and space.

The number of pilgrims collecting a compostela in Santiago during 2007 (last year's statistics aren’t yet available) was 114,026 from 138 different nations.
The most popular route continues to be the Camino Francés, playing host to 91,872 pilgrims representing 80% (down from 92% 2 years ago).
The second most popular route to Santiago is now the Camino Portugués with 8,110 pilgrims representing 7%. While not in these statistics the Camino Finisterre is becoming increasingly popular with an estimated 12,500 collecting a Fisteranna in 2008.
Next year, 2010 is a Holy Year on the Camino (there will not be another Holy Year until 2021.) and it now looks increasingly likely that Pope Benedict XVI will visit Santiago de Compostela during the year -- probably at the end of July when the Day of St James, 25 July, falls on a Sunday. Accordingly the number of visitors to Santiago during that year could rise to 10 million with 1⁄4 million expected to arrive on foot.

< A pilgrimage route in summer vs a pilgrimage route in winter? >





(Flights: From November 2008 Ryanair opened 2 daily flights from Santiago to Madrid to supplement its flights from/to Barcelona, Frankfurt, Rome and London. This has forced other airlines such as Iberia to lower its fares on this increasingly popular route to Madrid. Aer Lingus will fly twice weekly (Tues/Sat) direct from Dublin to Santiago from May 2nd to September 19th 2009.)

My barn having burned down, I can now see the moon
-- Leo Buscaglia

Le livre sur amazon en France!

Pour tous mes amis francais --mon Livre The Way of Stars and Stones - Thoughts on a pilgrimage est bien disponible sur -- amazon.fr a un prix fou! Rappelez-vous que tout le produit de la vente de ce livre sera pour la recherche contre le cancer!

Do not follow in the footsteps of the old masters, but seek what they sought. Achieve enlightenment, then return to this world of ordinary humanity. - Basho

page 187, The Way of Stars and Stones - Thoughts on a pilgrimage

Two reviews on amazon.com

Kimberley Lovato (Brussels, Belgium)
Unlike the zillions of 'how to' books about walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, this book is a personal journey about a woman who chose to do something challenging when her best friend was stricken with cancer. Along the way , she gets to know others, and herself, on a compelling journey. She does a great job weaving characters in and out through her tales, all the while, never letting the reader forget what is at the heart of this tremendous journey. It was a humbling pleasure to walk with her.

Morton B. Walley "book fan", Roberta Walley (USA)
Ms. Wikinson's book opened a new world for me. I enjoyed reading about her journey , both internal and external, walking over the Pyrenees mountains in winter. She was seeking to understand her friend's fight with cancer and feel some of the challenges of the ordeal through her 850 km. walk to Santiago de Compostela. The author travels a difficult path. This a a journey of discovery for all who read this wonderful book.


Have you read the book yet? Why not go to amazon yourself and contribute a review of the book? Remember, every book sold is a contribution to the Stars and Stones Fund at the Australian Cancer Foundation!

More readers' reviews

Thank you so much for letting us take a look into your experiences on the Camino. I have just finished your book and handed it to my husband. And my recommendation is: read your book at least twice. I do so appreciate the fact that you are so open in sharing your thoughts, experiences and feelings you had and those of your fellow pilgrims.
You are a great writer and story teller.-- SM, The Netherlands



I have just finished reading your book - I cried, laughed, wondered and agonized with you over the whole 800 kms. It was not only a gift to Terrie, it was also a gift to me. The whole time I was reading it I felt like I was sitting in your little upstairs sitting room at La Linde and you were telling me your stories over a glass of rioja. I could hear your voice, and your laugh, and your exasperation and your joy. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.-- LS, Canada



I really enjoyed the book presentation, and I am also very enthusiastic about it as I read on and on. I understand so much of your thoughts, your solitude, as I live them myself. My "Camino" is certainly not as physically tough as yours, but I feel there is a similarity. -- MS, Film producer



Ek skryf in Afrikaans, want ek lei af dit is jou moedertaal. Sien jy was de Villiers. Ek is 'n Stellenbosch-er (so effe jonger as jy) en ons bly hier in ons eie stukkie paradys onder die skadu van die Pieke.
Verlede week sommer so onbeplan in 'n klein boekwinkel, weggesteek in Dorpstraat ingeglip en vra vir die vrou of sy iets het oor die Camino. "Hier het sopas 'n pragtige boek verskyn" sê sy. Ek is vrolik met jou boek onder my arm weg. Watter absolute vreugde was jou boek om te lees. Ek het vanmiddag, na die gaste hier weg is, gou die laaste hoofstukke gelees. Veels geluk met pragtige skryfwerk. Jou boek lees so lekker, maklik en die inhoud wissel en bly boeiend interessant. Dit was 'n vreugde om saam met jou en die ander pelgrims te kon stap. Ek het so op 'n manier swaar van jou boek (en die karakters) afskeid geneem en het net die behoefte om vir jou te sê "well done!" Ek het van jou fotos op die internet verder gekyk en dit is PRAGTIG. Jammer dit kon nie meer tot reg in die boek gekom het nie, maar die swart en wit hou ook sy eie mistiek in.
Ek gaan dit volgende jaar in Junie Julie stap. Dit was so lekker om 'n resente boek te kry en ek dink dat dit 'n groot voordeel is om dit in die winter te stap- naas die koue!! Ek weet ons gaan oorval word met getalle volgende jaar in die heilige jaar, maar sal dit as 'n pelgrimstog van 'n ander toonaard hanteer.
Nogmaals dank vir 'n pragtige boek. -- DH, SA



I finished reading your book on the weekend. I enjoyed it very much and found it very inspirational. My only gripe: the fact that you didn’t tell us how you finally managed to get back on your seriously messed up feet after the treatment by the osteopath; how long it took; and what the ‘gunpowder’ was! -- LH, SA



I have just this very minute finished reading your book from cover to cover. I have enjoyed it immensely could not put it down! Let me tell you, I am not a reader, can’t remember when last I actually completely read a book. I am sooooooooooo in awe of what you accomplished!
I FEEL AS THOUGH I TOO HAVE WALKED THE CAMINO – THROUGH YOUR EYES AND THANK GOODNESS ON YOUR FEET AND NOT MINE!
I am useless with words, but in my own way I want to tell you I have learnt and realised so much through your experiences, lots of food for thought. How you did it, under all those harrowing circumstances, I do not know. I didn’t know you could actually walk it the ‘rich & lazy’ way I thought you COULD only do it the Pilgrim’s way, so you have enlightened me about that too.
I’m, as I said not great with words, but I think I’ve got to know you, learnt more about you, just through reading your book.
I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO YOU!!!!! -- JD, SA

Excerpt from The Way of Stars and Stones - Thoughts on a pilgrimage

I definitely wasn’t looking for a religious experience. My spiritual quest was to experience a level of commitment to something so great, so important, that any fear, inhibition or shame faded in significance. I wanted to pledge myself to something that would take me out of myself and place me on a level far beyond my ken. I wanted to be transported to a spiritual plane where the pettiness and detail of a mundane life had no import and where the true sense of life, love, friendship and courage would become clear.

In my frequent travels across the globe, I have always envied the faithful their blind resolve in the face of a staring world – be it the believers who, in airports, stop off in a side room to kneel down towards Mecca; or the orthodox Jew, with his prayer shawl draped over his shoulders, standing by the porthole of the plane door, rocking his silent prayer to his God; or the New Ager standing naked in the field, arms outstretched, greeting the ever-reliable sun at dawn. In Japan I’ve looked with longing at the white-clad funny-hatted men and women who walk the route of the 88
Buddhist temples of Shikoku. Even in Memphis, in the United States, it was not with scorn or ridicule that I watched the long lines of people who patiently and silently inched their way forward to the open doors of Elvis Presley’s home, Graceland; I watched with something approaching awe and admiration. And then, of course, I have been deeply moved by the thousands of pilgrims who cycle, walk or ride on horseback on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Now, subconsciously, I sensed that this altered state of being I was yearning for was exactly what I’d seen in the faces of pilgrims at the airport, in the lines at Graceland – and on the Way of St James.

I did not need drugs, or alcohol, or an evangelist preacher to take me to that level. What I did need was total commitment – something I realised even before I started to research the requirements and demands of such a pilgrimage. This was not something I could do on a whim. It wouldn’t count that I had often taken on exciting challenges and demanding adventures on no more than a sudden impulse, nor that I’d always achieved what I set out to do, sometimes courtesy of pure good fortune. But, without total commitment even I could quite possibly fail. This time, this challenge was to demand more than ever before.
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