This week I bit the bullet, grit my teeth and cancelled my beds on the Camino Francés in September. Not because I wanted to, but for the simple reason that I am waiting to hear about a rather lucrative contract – if I get it, I won’t have time to go, and if I don’t, … More Postponing a postponed walk
The camino seems to be bustling again, with hundreds of pilgrims arriving at the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago every day for their compostela. It is a good sign, and I hope it lasts so the people earning a living along the way can make up some of their losses. There is always the threat of … More Back to a ‘new normal’?
My September camino is on hold. My recent May one was done virtually. The 2021 Holy Year might go either way – boom or bust – and nobody knows when the camino as we know it will get back to normal, if it ever does. Chances are albergues will have to rethink, reorganise, refurbish and/or … More The Escapist
Finally, no rain! And no rush either – it’s a pleasant enough walk into León from here, and I want to really enjoy my last day of walking. Communal walking. Most of the pilgrims from last night have already left, some of them planning to walk straight through the city and just get a stamp … More Not Going to León
The last day of walking, according to plan. I was supposed to fly back on the 17th, after a whole day in León – or not, if I decided to dawdle – and with my extra efforts yesterday I am now ahead of schedule. Always a good thing! Rain, however, is not so good. And … More Not Not Going to León
I wake up to the now familiar sound of rain against the window in my room. It is dark, so I have to check my Fitbit to see what time it is, and luckily it is still early – too early to start, when I have the room to myself. So I turn over and … More Not Going to Reliegos
Aaargh, another rainy morning. I have slept well, the bed was lovely!, but still, I wake up feeling bone tired. Maybe it’s the weather, maybe it’s the long day yesterday, maybe it’s the many days of walking catching up with me – it’ll pass. I let my new friends go on ahead and linger in … More Not Going to Sahagún
At the beginning of the camino, walking a 17 km stretch without any facilities, bars, albergues or even much shade, seems almost impossible. What if you get thirsty, hungry, tired, or worse – need the loo? The trick is to take enough water, snacks or food and have something to sit on, which you’ve already … More Not Going to Ledigos
Rain again this morning … So it’s a slow and late start for me, lingering over a bowl of café con leche in the albergue restaurant and munching on toast with jam for breakfast. One part of me is reluctant to go into the rain, another is looking forward to the walk along the canal … More Not Going to Carrión
No dawdling today, I want to get on the road before the rain comes again. I have had a good, long night’s sleep and manage to get out of my lovely warm down cocoon when others start stirring around me. Poncho goes in the outside stretch pocket though, it might get put to good use … More Not Going to Boadilla
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A stream of consciousness
With my new novel Lost in the Fog to-be published September 21, 2020, last fall I embarked on a four month trip to France, Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean. The main reason for the journey was to hike the Camino de Santiago, a 550 mile pilgrimage. With this blog, I am excerpting from the journal I kept. As David Lynch once said "getting lost is beautiful".
My times on the Camino de Santiago
One Man – 500 miles – No Proclaimers
Willing, Wondering and Weary: The Travels of J9
Notes from the Camino de Santiago
Talk the walk
Thoughtful wanderer in search of virtual meaning
walking together on the way of saint james
The tale of a chubby guy, lots of wine and over 1200km of Camino walking
Eating my way to Santiago - just a few tips for non-Spanish speakers to read menus in Spain
Santiago de Compostela
Follow My Life Changing Camino Travels
a few of my thoughts whilst walking
writing and adventure in a delayed gap year
Camino de Santiago de Compostela - before, during and after
