There were big hugs and heartfelt farewells once again this morning. I jokingly told Michael, the talented German musician who had entertained us so beautifully last night, that we considered locking him in the barn just to keep him here for another evening of music. He mentioned that he’s planning to write a book. If his writing is anything like his singing and guitar playing, it’s sure to be a bestseller.

It was rewarding to read their comments in the guest book. They wrote things like, “best time ever,” “fantastic,” and “this was the best place.” One especially memorable and unusual entry was written by a young woman from Taiwan in elegant Chinese script.

We had another busy morning preparing for the arrival of today’s pilgrims. Janine whipped up another pot of her delicious lentil soup for us hospitaleros and baked a cake for this afternoon’s tea with the pilgrims. Though the cake got a little scorched, thanks to our quirky oven, she simply trimmed off the burnt bottom, added some icing, and no one was the wiser. Meanwhile, I made two jars of jam from the garden’s yellow plums, which turned out beautifully.

We were disappointed for awhile that we only had two pilgrims arrive but, by later on in the afternoon, we had an additional nine. Some had walked 35 kilometres – the distance Janine and I had taken two days to do. That explains why it was quieter and lights were out earlier this evening.

A couple from Eastern Canada came around to have a look at our garden and were most impressed. They told us they wished they were staying here instead of where they were. Nice to hear!