The Path behind. Not a full stop, but a comma

St Michael’s Chapel on St Michael’s Mount marked both the highlight and the endpoint of the walk. More than 125 miles on foot, from coast to coast and headland to headland, brought moments of adventure, unexpected challenges, inner reflection, warm encounters, physical effort, cultural discovery and the untamed beauty of nature.

The journey fulfilled, the path behind. On the ferry homeward, only a fading trail in the azure waves remains: a line dissolving into water, sky and clouds. No land, yet a grateful gaze upon a horizon full of memories and a journey that carries on within.

Perhaps the Cornish Celtic Way does not end here, but truly begins: in the task of carrying its insights into everyday life. That, perhaps, is even harder than following the Way step by step.

Luk Collet,
Belgian Photographer and Pilgrim

With Gratitude

Although we take every step ourselves, every journey is shaped by the kindness, generosity and encouragement of others. The Cornish Celtic Way is no exception. What began as a personal pilgrimage has grown into a travelling exhibition and a multilingual website thanks to the support of many remarkable people.

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone I met along the way. The people who welcomed a stranger, opened the doors of their houses or churches, shared a meal, offered practical advice, told their stories or simply took the time for a conversation. Every encounter became part of this journey.

No pilgrimage is ever walked alone

My heartfelt thanks go to Reverend Nigel Marns and his wife Penny whose vision and dedication have helped breathe life into a Cornish Celtic Way together with an enthusiastic team of volunteers. I still remember our very first conversation in the beer garden of The Falcon, opposite St Mawgan Church. That meeting marked the beginning of a friendship.

My sincere thanks also go to Dr Richard Laugharne, for generously sharing both his knowledge and his wisdom. He also became the first doctor to test me for Covid on British soil, a meeting I certainly had not planned, but one I will never forget.

To David and Jackie Oglethorpe, whose warmth, hospitality and commitment to the community of St Mawgan made me feel at home from the very beginning.

To videographer Sebastian Reyda, who transformed his enthusiasm into three short video's that bring this project to life in a new way.

To Rosie, Marjorie, Pam and the many other hosts who offered me a place to stay, thank you for your generosity and friendship. A special word of thanks to Penny, Els and Julie, who carefully reviewed the English and French translations. Their dedication has helped make this project accessible to an international audience.

Finally, my deepest gratitude goes to my wife, Leen. Thank you for encouraging me to take a leap of faith during a brief 48-hour Covid travel window and set out on this pilgrimage. Thank you for your patience while I spent countless hours selecting and editing photographs and writing and rewriting the stories behind them.

To all of you, thank you.

"Every pilgrimage leaves footprints.
This project has been shaped by yours as much as by mine."