Last Thursday night 20 pilgrims from Porto in northern Portugal and four pilgrims from Cleveland Ohio in the USA arrived in Scone as part of the Days in the Diocese program where pilgrims stayed in various communities.

The Catholic pilgrims were billeted with nine local families and spent four days helping the community and learning about Australian culture.

Having come from the European summer, Silvia Rodrigues one of the Portuguese pilgrims said it was much colder and quieter than she was expecting.

But on Friday morning she was still looking forward to her adventure and was especially keen on seeing kangaroos and wanted to see a koala.

“Our common animals are turkeys, dogs, cats, chickens and horses,” she said.

“We want to know about your culture, to share our cultures,” Miss Rodrigues said.

All the girls from America also said they wanted to see Australian animals and go to the zoo.

And the location was part of what influenced them to become a pilgrim.

“It is Australia, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” 17 year old Kristine Castro said.

And 18 year old Meghan Nye said she was very pleased with her host family who she said were showing real hospitality.

Although they only stayed in Scone until Monday the pilgrims stay was action packed.

After mass and morning tea on Friday they planted trees at the Scone cemetery, they also visited Strathearn Village and met with the elderly.

Saturday was an Australiana day at Ellemara Sandy Hollow where they saw a shearing demonstration, visited Aboriginal sites and saw aboriginal dancers.

They mingled with local parishioners at mass on Sunday before going on a picnic at Moonan Flat.

And the four Americans all said they were happy with the itinerary.

“We are just going with it,” Samantha D’Amico 18 said.

“It is part of being a pilgrim, we have to back pack”.