According to Facebook there are over 200 friends, or followers, or readers, or 'linked folk' or whoever, waiting anxiously for a long overdue blog from me! Well, in this age of exaggeration, "fake news", "post what you like" and "hacking", I am not sure just what the post means, except to say, how does Facebook keep track of what is posted - how this happens is a mystery with over two billion subscribers. And in the words of the bard "a little scary". Not even George Orwell predicted such close scrutiny.

If time permits, I suggest reading John Lanchester's article "you are the product" which appeared in the London Review of Books in October. Here is the last paragraph of a very long article.

"Automation and artificial intelligence are going to have a big impact in all kinds of worlds. These technologies are new and real, and they are coming soon. Facebook is deeply interested in these trends. We don't know where this is going, we don't know what the social costs and consequences will be, we don't know what will be the next area of life to be hollowed out, the next business model to be destroyed, the next company to go the way of Polaroid or the next business to go the way of journalism or the next set of tools and techniques to become available to the people who used Facebook to manipulate the elections of 2016. We just don't know what's next, but we know it's likely to be consequential, and that a big part will be played by the world's biggest social network. On the evidence of Facebook's actions so far, it's impossible to face this prospect without unease."

The link: https.//www.lrb.co.uk/n16/john-lanchester/you-are-the-product

My goodness that is a big digression from the primary focus of this blog, which was simply to give a short summary of what has been happening since finishing the Camino and retreat time at La Neyliere.

I visited the place known as the Bugey- an area in the rugged and beautiful hill country near Belley southern France. It is where the early Marists began their pastoral work in the difficult times after the French Revolution. I travelled to 12 of these villages in the comfort of a car expertly driven by Sr Teri O'Brien a Marist sister who, in spite of her name, is French Canadian. This was in stark contrast to hard slog by foot usually in Winter by those early Marists.

Recently the remains of Mungo man were returned to country after being taken by anthropologists from his original burial ground some 42,000 years before. The strong connection to country the first peoples of this land is deeply embedded in their beliefs, spirituality and culture.

I believe that there is, in all of us, a similar belief- country of origin is deep within us. So, it was with this in my mind, that I visited Ireland from where three sides of my family came- counties Clare and Kerry. This reality is brought home when one is frequently asked by the locals what connections one has with the old sod.

But I came to visit the living- Joe Rooney a Marist with whom I worked in Japan. Joe was in good spirits but poor health and there was an awareness that our time together, our reminiscences and our prayers would probably be for the last time in this life.

I was also able to visit with the Patricia and Neil, wonderful companions for part of the first Camino- we not only shared memories of that time together, but joined their Wednesday walking group for a day in the hills around Glendalough, the site of a very ancient monastery, in what has to be one of the most picturesque (and there are so many) places in Ireland. The walk and the day were spectacular, but I struggled without my boots along some of the boggy paths.

Then I travelled to Cork to meet with Sinead and her very active two-year-old little girl named Willow. Sinead was a companion for most the first Camino, where she shared with me the harrowing experience of being attacked by a knife wielding, out of control, 19-year-old, who had broken into her friend Nicola's house (parents were overseas). Sinead was seriously wounded, and Nicola died in her arms.

Sinead is a single mother and dedicated to Willow. A remarkable and resilient young woman.

My final leg was to London from where I pen this Blog. The Marist Fathers have the responsibility for the inner-city church of Notre Dame- a responsibility which goes back to the 1860s when the French Government purchased land and built a Church in what is known to every tourist in London -Leicester Place- the theatre and dinning district of the town.

The Church is busy with a wide variety of ministries, not only to the French speaking community of the city, but to the homeless, referral centre for refugees and a quiet place for prayer and reflection.

Last weekend I went to Edinburgh to visit with my niece, her Scottish husband and their two Australian born children. They have just moved from Australia (Brisbane) and they are making the necessary adjustments - not the least to the climatic conditions.

It was a delightful three days- the children filled with energy and indeed, wisdom beyond their four and 2+ years.

The only downer; I brought home with me a severe dose of the flu which did two things:
1. introduce me to the health care system here, about which I cannot say enough- the thorough care and cross checking were superb and all with a cheery smile.
2. Put me in bed for four days! No shows, no sightseeing just the ceiling.

Finally, as I take my leave from here and make my way home, I extend my deep appreciation to you all- companions on the journey, which is about to come to an end.

Warm regards and thanks for reading

Jim