I am about to start a pilgrimage walk. I am now fully retired and so have the chance to do this now that I don’t sing from Thursday to Sunday every week of the school year. I have for longer than I can say wanted to follow the Camino, or the pilgrimage route across Western Europe to Santiago de Compostela. I chose to start the walk at the basilica of Saint Mary Magdalene at Vézelay in Burgundy. I am going to follow the northern route from the starting point – through Bourges – and then later will walk directly from Perigeux to Sainte Foy la Grande. Here is a map of the route that I am following. I am going by myself, which some people find surprising, but it will be a real gift for me. and in any event, I shall meet all kinds of people on the way.

It is about 900 kilometres from Vezelay to St Jean-Pied-de-Port.