Not the best start on my second day. Rain! It has been raining all night, tapping and drumming on the roof and windows. Some of my fellow pilgrims got up at five o’clock, rustling gently as they packed and left, but hearing the rain I just fell back asleep. When I finally wake up, it … More Not Going to Castrojeriz
First walking day! I have no doubt slept lightly, or badly, or both, being in an unfamiliar bed, with people coming in late from town, and snoring, and trips to the loo in the night … all in a bad night’s sleep for a pilgrim. I will get used to it. As I will get … More Not Going to Hornillos
Today, early this morning, I should have been on a flight to Madrid. I should have done the usual dash from Terminal 1, up one floor, onto the transit bus to Terminal 4, to the bar/café downstairs where I could see the ALSA bus heading for Burgos arriving to pick me up. I would have … More Not Going to Burgos
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
Some women (and some men) have discovered the joys of walking in a skirt. I am one of them – I can change the tights underneath to suit the weather, temperature, or needs on the day. These skirts are often short-ish to allow for unrestricted movement, though some hikers choose a more modest length when … More Kit cycle completed
A quick and festive hello from the Scouse Spouse and I, wishing you all the best for the holidays and the new year. May it bring peace, joy and happiness, and may you all embrace the opportunities it brings! Buen camino, happy trails, god tur to you all, we will raise a glass of vino … More Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, God jul!
The second best part of any camino is planning for it. But where do you even start? With a guidebook, is one answer, and I always recommend having a (decent and recent) guidebook available when planning. These days there are also lots of websites offering bits of information, and just deciding on which website to … More Top pilgrim tip: Planning websites
As in, things that are not too hard or soft or hot or cold or big or small, but Just Right. My favourites are, in random order: Pacerpoles: I won’t go on any long walk without my Pacerpoles. The specially designed handle make them an absolute joy to use and can be rinsed off so … More My Goldilocks list
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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
