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
These areas are basically the ones I was going to, so it’s game over for me for May. If you are worried about travel, precautions, options etc, please follow the advice of government bodies and authorities like the WHO and don’t take social media speculation to heart. For an updated list of albergues closed or … More New travel advice for Spain
Here we are again. Butterflies, open pack, stuff everywhere, and me ticking off points on my checklist. Tomorrow I am on my way and what I haven’t got, I’ll either have to get or go without. Of course I have a packing list, but have you ever tried to actually follow one of those things?? … More Last minute checklist
If you are going to Spain, either as a pilgrim or tourist, I highly recommend that you download the AlertCops app on your mobile phone. It’s easy to set up, and lets you call or send text messages to the nearest police emergency line, specify which language you speak, choose from a number of easy … More Top pilgrim tip: Alert Cops app
We had decided to start early this morning, but ended up having a long and very nice chat with the man at reception, who was very impressed that we had so little luggage and carried it ourselves – the common room downstairs was already full of suitcases to be shipped to the next stage. After … More CF Day 7 – Santo Domingo to Belorado
My Scouse Spouse and I have walked together several times – Astorga to Santiago for our honeymoon, Hadrian’s Wall, then Astorga to Santiago again earlier this year. I knew he enjoyed it and he sometimes mentioned wanting to walk the Francés from St Jean Pied de Port to Astorga to see what I have seen, … More Accidents and Emergencies
On the second day of our walk we woke up to blue skies and wet ground. It seemed yet again the forecast rain had been and gone, and we were confidently clad in short sleeved tops under fleece and padded jackets, ready to peel off the layers as the day warmed up. After a couple … More CF Spring 17: Day 2, Rabanal-Acebo
This question comes up on the Camino forum(s) again and again. With so many cheap tickets and steep checked bag fees it is tempting to pack light and take your Camino pack on the flight as hand luggage. But can you take your collapsible hiking poles too? No, you can’t. You need to put them … More Taking hiking poles on the plane
Denise Thiem, an American woman of Chinese descent, was last seen in Astorga on April 5th this year, when she told a fellow pilgrim she wanted to look around a bit and then move on. Neither pilgrims nor her family have seen or heard from her since. The police have searched for her in the local … More The disappearance of Denise
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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
