Done

Done! Finished! Finito. I am in Zermatt, having walked from Mt Blanc to the Matterhorn as planned. Tomorrow I head back to Amsterdam, and then home.

Despite significant pain in my left foot, despite the cold shared with me in the first hut that wont go away, despite some discouraging days, closed trails, and sore knees, I did the whole walk. And the whole summer! There is tremendous satisfaction in all that.

There has been plenty of time for reflection, which has ranged from petty grudges and frustrations to immense gratitude. If you want to know something I am grateful for, please go look in the mirror! Your presence here has sustained and encouraged me, and helped me feel connected through the loneliest times. So thank you. Thank you for reading and following, thank you for all the messages, thank you for keeping me tethered.

One of the best things about the summer has been getting to hang out with Mirabel and Omar every couple of weeks. Being able to be together without the pressure of scarcity has been precious beyond measure. Their hospitality has been a gift.

A few last pictures:

And now it's home, to pick up the threads of my life. If I can get in the door which has been overtaken by the watermelon vine I planted in the garden box.

See you soon!