Finally....... got it all done, bags are packed and flying off away from Tasmania for a while. I'm heading of to France today to spend time in Paris, the French coast, Barcelona and wherever our feet will take us along the Pilgrims road. My mother and I are off to spend 3 to 4 weeks walking the Pilgrims Trail, the way of St James, Santiago do Compestella. we will start walking in Figeac and like any good adventure have no idea where will finish.

I decided to investigate making scallop shells, so made a mould of one that I found on the beach at Maria Island and then cast this in metal. I now have 12 shells, 10 of them have unknown homes and I aim to investigate the stories of the wearers and where they travel from here. The Scallop shell is the symbol of the walk. The true end of the walk finishes at the ocean, and this place was perceived as being the end of the world 1000 years ago and shells were carried back by pilgrims as evidence. Pilgrims still carry shells as a sign that they are walking the way and these symbols grant one shelter and assistance and mark the trail along the way.

Looking forward to see what I shall find!