Please note this was published in August 2020; for recent info and advice regarding travel, please seek out updated information from the Spanish government on Spain Travel Health website (with travel locator form for travellers). News just in, fresh from the Camino! Mark McCarthy, seasoned pilgrim and guidebook author, has just returned from his pilgrimage … More Walking the Camino in the time of Covid
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
Written during covid lockdown in 2020, when my camino was cancelled 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 … More Not Going to León
Written during covid lockdown in 2020, when my camino was cancelled 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. … More Not Not Going to León
Written during covid lockdown in 2020, when my camino was cancelled 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 … More Not Going to Reliegos
Written during covid lockdown in 2020, when my camino was cancelled 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. … More Not Going to Sahagún
Written during covid lockdown in 2020, when my camino was cancelled 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 … More Not Going to Ledigos
Written during covid lockdown in 2020, when my camino was cancelled 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 … More Not Going to Carrión
Somewhere Slowly 