Settled ??

As the year moved into December I was still getting myself ‘bedded in’, although I was still up and down the country a bit… and still getting lots of ‘reminders’ from my Camino days, even just a shadow on the road…

and lots of chances up and down Kinder Scout to test out my new found camera skills ( shooting Panoramas !) or spotting a good sunrise !

I had a flying weekend visit down to London, staying at Joseph’s, and we went out to a West End Theatre to see my nephew Joseph in ‘Great Britain ’ .. that’s him on the poster behind me !http://greatbritainonstage.com/  Went all over with Thomas and Nicola, and even squeezed in a day at the football, watching Joseph’s beloved Blackburn Rovers …getting beat !

Then it was back home, preparing for Christmas , and keeping up my walks up and over Kinder Scout, and wondering what to do for next year…A little snow just after Christmas helped me to wander, and dream again..

As the year ends, I look back on another great year of travel, experiences, and friends I’ve met.. 6 differring countries visited, 130 days/nights away..lots of walking,riding and driving…Can I do more next year…?

 

 

Of course I can !

See you in 2015 !

Going Home…

I headed out to Santiago airport on the Saturday morning, along with lots of other pilgrims… travelling to other parts of the World, the only one I knew was Cathy, en route to Canada, but, like me spending the weekend in London… all was going well, as we all shuffled along the boarding ramp, as the arriving passengers streamed off the plane… then…’Stop’ ! something had gone wrong, we stood there for around 30 minutes, and then were directed back into the terminal…to wait,wait and wait ! 7 hours of waiting, whilst a new plane was brought out to Santiago, the original one becoming defective !

Still, I had an interesting chat with a fellow pilgrim who was about to start as the Chief executive to Greater Manchester’s Crime Commissioner…what a coincidence !

We were well looked after though, and the seven hour delay meant….I got a free flight home, as the compensation paid for my fare !

Arriving at London Gatwick, I got the train to near my son Gerard’s home, and he collected me and gave me a proper English meal ! Lovely, and a nice bed for the night, and nice to see some of my Grandchildren… before the following morning taking me into London, to see another Grandchild, collect my case…and get me to the train for my journey up North…first class, no less – I was told I was a ‘First Class’ Pilgrim !!

I was collected at the rail station by my daughter Anna, and taken home to be greeted by 6 Grandchildren…and their parents ! Wow, what a welcome… and a Birthday cake too !!

I didn’t have much time to relax, Kate was staying at my house with three young children, so I had a few days of fun, with Chloe helping me to tidy the leaves away, and meeting up with family for lunch, before Kate drove us all down to her new home in Buckinghamshire, where I spent a few days exploring the surroundings

I headed back up North, to settle in… again… although I was caught by surprise again a couple of weeks later,Anna had invited me to join them for a curry, and so I walked in to the Restaurant…Surprise,surprise !! Ambushed again… there was my Dad, brothers,sisters and partners  determined to wish me a ‘Happy 60th Birthday ‘!! 

Once again I’d been surprised and delighted

Thanks everyone…now to get on with things !!

Reflections of My Camino…

I walked from Lourdes in France to Santiago de Compostela, a distance of 949 kms (590 Miles)

I walked on 43 days, an average of 22 kms a day ( 14 miles)

I carried all my clothing etc in my  rucksack, weighing around 12 kilos (26 lbs, or 2 stone !) maximum

I stayed in 49 differring Albergues, hostals, hotels or lodges

I spent around $30 euros per day (including accomodation,food,drinks)

I met great people from all over the world, including my really close friends Alan (Canada), Michelle (S. Africa), Monique (America),Jacqui + Christine (Australia), Peggy (England) ,Liesje + Sally ( Canada)

Thanks everyone for sharing in this special time with me… whether you wished me on my way, thought of me , talked and walked with me ,eat,drank and kept me company…    or welcomed me back ! 

Relaxing in Santiago…

The next few days in Santiago were ’relaxing’ fun and hectic !!

The first night of my arrival there, I had cleaned up, and met several of my ‘Camino Family’ friends near the Cathedral, and after a meal had ‘gone out on the town’ ! The latest night of my trip so far, had me staggering back to my rooms around 2 a.m…. but up early and down to the Cathedral early, to get a good spot for the 12 noon Pilgrims mass (front bench actually)

Wandering around the place had me bumping in to people I’d met on the Camino, seemingly around every corner ! That evening we had the first of our farewell dinners, as one of our little family left to return to America… and we all partied into the very early hours again… and I moved the following morning into the luxurious accommodation at the Hospedería San Martín Pinario , a former seminary, now a  Hotel, with the top floor being reserved for pilgrims – luxury , my own room,toilet, and bed for $23 euros a night , including breakfast !

Next it was a tour of the Cathedral roof

with great views over the surrounding countryside and great sunset vies from San Martin..

The next morning a few of us went on a coach trip, out to Finisterre http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Finisterre where I had originally wanted to walk to, however nearer the end, had decided that my Pilgrimage should finish in Santiago at the tomb of St James..

Finisterre is still regarded by some pilgrims as the ‘end’ and so many walk on there, and burn their clothes, signifying their ‘new life’ Alan burnt a pair of trousers ‘for us all’… we all had lots of tears to shed – for all sorts of reasons, most of which we couldn’t fathom !

we went from there to the beach at Muxia  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mux%C3%ADa  another place linked to the Camino and with the setting sun, the place of great mystery !

Back to Santiago, where I continued saying farewell to different friends, but also welcoming others who had come in a few days later… almost a full week went by, until it was time for me to leave, and go home…

Saturday 1st November saw me alone again leaving Santiago de Compostela, would life ever be the same again ?