On the plus side, I met people there, that I would not normally associate with, the ill and mentally disabled for example, I experienced events that where very uplifting or emotionally moving, especially the singing and the healing of sick.

However Lourdes was not all unbridled happiness for me. Whilst there I was made to think hard about what Lourdes is all about and what it represents in the Catholic Church of today. Many will say that it is a wondrous place, where you feel like you are part of a global community, and they're right. However for me Lourdes was sadly bereft of any REAL meaning. It has become so popular with pilgrims that as I stood across the river at 1:30 early one morning watching the more than 100 people crowding around the grotto, photo flashes going off, and candles lighting up. It struck me that this was more like Alton Towers than a deeply spiritual place. If Our Lady did indeed appear here to the simply peasant girl that Bernadette was, what would Our Lady make of all the 'stuff' that now surrounds this place. I felt that this is not be what she would have wanted.

I felt inside like Jesus must have felt at the temple when he expressed his anger at the money changers and the dove sellers, by driving out their livestock, and overturning the tables. Jesus justified his actions by quoting: 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'- Isaiah 56:7 and 'But you have made it a den of thieves' - Jeremiah 7:11

If asked I would encourage anyone to visit Lourdes, especially as a volunteer pilgrim, as there are many surprises and rewards for you there. However I would also caution them that they may come away, not feeling quite the catholic they went as.

This is the first time I've done an overnight coach trip, and I'm not REALLY looking forward to it, although I am tired and will hopefully be able to rest, if only a little bit.

The rest of the group all seem to be in good spirits and I must admit I'm looking forward to getting there! Night

There have been no official duties today, so it's really been a case of learning where the shops are and buying postcards for home. The food in our hotel has been ok, but not fantastic. Thankfully I'm managing to eat it all thus far.

It really doesn't feel like the pilgrimage has begun yet, it feels sort of like any other Mediterranean holiday. However the more experienced pilgrims tell me that once I've visit the Domain and meet the sick pilgrims, the 'tackiness' of the shops will fade from memory.

I could not help but think how different this place must have look 150 years ago, when Bernadette saw Our Lady here. Finally I said some prayers for people who are dear to me and then blessed myself with the water from the tap.

It's the whole pilgrimage candlelight procession tonight, another event I am looking forward to being part of.

Afternoon - I have just returned from the opening mass of the diocesan pilgrimage. The singing was very uplifting; almost to the point of making me tearful, the sound of over nearly 1,000 people all singing together is a truly moving experience!

I was lucky enough to be able to take a lovely lady (Kathy) down to the mass with me in her wheelchair, and whilst it was a bit tough going up some of the steeper hills whilst watching out for people in flip-flops, and dodging coaches! It was a real pleasure to have helped her to enjoy, what was for me, one of the best masses I think I've even been a part of!

After the mass we visited the Grotto, and were privileged to be able to walk around the holy place, where you can see and feel the trickles of water coming from the rocks.

Evening - Tonight Salford Diocese was leading the candle light procession down in the main Rosary Square. It lasted about an hour and barring a small 'accidental fire' I had with some candles, all went well. The spectacle of 100's of people from all over the globe standing together in prayer and song, is a humbling experience, alas there wasn't a great deal of English hymns sung, so I did leave feeling a little disengaged.

What really did surprise me was after all the military style organisation that seemingly went on before and during the procession, this falls apart afterwards and a sort of free for all ensues! Very perplexing!

We returned to the Accueil St. Frai with the pilgrims that we had been paired up with earlier that evening, and once back there engauaged in chatting with them and finally assisting them, in what ways they needed, in getting into bed. It was now midnight and we all head off to the bar that is popular with Salford volunteers called New Orleans Bar or as its often called 'Yam Yams'.

Finally a group of us headed back down to the grotto. It really is a totally different place at night, silent other than the sound of the river, there were no more then 20 of us there which really gave a sense of tranquillity that you just can not get when there are 100's of pilgrims there .

Afternoon - We then head straight to the 'Cathedral of the Tree' for a picnic lunch followed by a period of silent reflection. It was very nice location, sort of half way up a mountain but it certainly was a bit of a climb! But no rest for us, as we had to back at the Rosary Basilica for the 4pm Service of Reconciliation. Where I went to confession for the first time in many, many years.

Evening - After a very long tea, I had a bit of a rest and the met up with the rest of my group for a pizza and a chat.

After returning John to his hotel we then had a little free time so myself and Katherine Parker headed up town to visit the castle which dates back many hundreds of years, I forget exactly how many. The views from the top were fantastic!

Afternoon - After rushing back to the hotel for lunch (as we were running late!) We headed back to the Accueil to take those pilgrims who wanted to, down to the baths at the grotto. I took Albert and I think we both felt it was a deeply unusual (and cold) experience. It certainly is an experience I shall remember for a long time.

Evening - My team was once again rotated on to do the evening shift at the Accueil, which meant we had to rush tea (near missing out on the main course). Tonight a variety performance had been laid on from the pilgrims, featuring mainly comedy and singing. A thoroughly fantastic time was had by all, including me! Then due to being very tired I retired to bed, as yep, it's another early start tomorrow. Night.

At 9.30 we set of on 'The Pilgrim Way' a blue line has been painted about the town to guide visitors to 4 location that were important in the life of Saint Bernadette. After completing this, myself and Katherine, made a bee line for the 'Funicular'. Think of it as a slanted train that goes up mountains. This took us up a nearby mountain to an altitude of 948m which gave us really splendid views of the surrounding towns and villages here in the Pyrenees. Unfortunately in choosing to go up the mountain, we missed lunch, but we managed to grab a brief snack just before starting our next duty.

Afternoon - at 13:30 we collected some of the Accuil pilgrims and headed down to the Domain for the pilgrimage Mass, followed by procession of the Blessed Sacrament. My pilgrim, Simon, needed to return to the Accueil between the two services, so that meant double pushing for me.

Evening - After tea we rounded the day off with pushing Hotel Pilgrims during the Torchlight Procession. It really is very humbling to see so many thousands of people all gather together singing with their thousands of candles.

I along with everyone in the team are really starting to feel the strain of these long, tiring days under the sun, thankfully we get a bit of a rest tomorrow with an afternoon out at the 'Green lake'

I chose not to stay for this mass but instead to go to 'The way of the Cross' or as it is more commonly called the upper stations. These are large Gold colours statues representing all the different Stations of the Cross. I chose to do these stations whilst praying for my family. I returned in time to pickup Bridget and take her shopping after mass.

Afternoon - We have spent the afternoon at an outdoor water park called the green lake. This is a relatively small water park, but it was SO nice just to sit in and relax in the sun, or have fun on the slides. We all had a fantastic time!

Evening - After realising that I had not put any sun cream on my back I applied plenty of after sun to make up for it. We all attended the Silent Prayer Vigil at the upper chapel of the Accueil Marie St. Frai. Followed by the obligatory trip to the New Ordeals' bar in the evening. I also went back down to the domain at about 01:30 and again the main gates had been left open, so it was quite busy. It was at this point that I decided that I don't really like Lourdes. It is perhaps a victim of its own success, but I find the constant commercialism, photo taking, water drinking and Hail Mary saying all too much. I really feel the truer; simpler message of Lourdes has been lost in the rush to be a pilgrim location, a very sad loss.

Afternoon - After a pizza lunch at the New Orleans Cafe, which was very tasty, we headed to the Accuil where we were on afternoon shift, however as this was also the afternoon of the closing mass, we all headed down to the rosary basilica for the service. Where several of our team where presented with medals for 3 and 5 years service. A proud moment for them indeed.

Evening - The 'Last Night Party', this party is famed for it liveliness, and the amount of effort people put into it. And this year was no exception; The Accueil that did come to the party seemed to enjoy it too. I was shocked when we were chucked out at 2am, as the time had simply flown by!

Afternoon - After awakening from my afternoon sleep, I can't really remember exactly what I did, sorry! I know that there was a slightly odd feeling about the place, in that almost everyone from Salford had gone, a trip past the bar, normally jam packed with blue topped Salford people, was quieter, with no-one I recognised to be seen.

Evening - Our group engaged in a little socialising amongst ourselves. Which was nice, to be just us again, sort of full circle as it were. As it was in the beginning...