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 ?

And…. Finally !

Hi Everyone
As you can see I made it into Santiago de Compostela shortly before 6 pm Sunday 26th October
To be greeted by some friends, who guided me round to the pilgrim office where I duly received my Compostella - in Latin !
It was the end of a hot final day, when I walked in doing a marathon stint of 43kms!
I had found out that the Botafumeiro ( giant incense burner ) would be lit and swung at the Pilgrim mass on Monday, and decided that I would be there for it !
I was able to go into the Cathedral for evening mass, visits to St James casket, and the traditional hug around his gilded bejewelled statue, and to top it all I've just returned from the Pilgrim mass meeting so many people I've seen over the last months!!
My pilgrimage is at an end... Or as they say, 'The Way' only starts when you get home....
I could tell you all about my well improved legs, the wonderful weather, and lots of other things- I won't
Just to say thanks to all the messages I've had, prayer requests, and prayers, it helps on the tough old journey
There wasn't a dry eye in the church as pilgrims from around the world hugged each other in celebration of their own personal and joint journey
Buon Camino
Ultreia
& God bless
Joe
Ps don't ask when I'm coming home, I don't know myself, nothing yet booked, I may even walk to Finisterre ( or get a bus !)

A Tough Week

Hi everyone
It's been a tough week since I last wrote to you all
As I set off from Leon last Monday, after my rest day I felt really good. I'd managed to catch 730 am mass as I set off, and thought everything was easy - wrong !
As I walked along the hard footpaths and concrete roads out of Leon I felt my shins really hurting, by the end of the day I had developed 'shin splints' or something similar, resulting in painful legs, and by now, every day walking ends up with my left ankle swelling up... So I sit here with it in a cold compress , elevated... Ready for another days walk tomorrow !!
I've climbed up and over the high points of the pilgrimage, Cruz de Ferro last Thursday, on a wet miserable day, where I managed to leave a traditional stone from home, along with other things... And anything else that needed leaving behind !
Today I've climbed up and over the last ( I think) big mountain O Cebreiro, so it's all downhill to Santiago , just less than 150 kms left - although I've had to cut my daily distance down, so maybe still 7 or 8 days walking !!
I've had some interesting companions... A Belgian couple with their donkey, who crossed the Cruz de Ferro with me , a Jewish pilgrim from Israel, and assorted others from around the world !
Again I've stayed at some great, and not so great places, although in the main food and accommodation have been good
The weather has again returned to sunshine, which I hope accompanies me to Santiago, although the region I'm now in Galicia is renowned for wet weather, we shall see
Hopefully by my next message I'll be in Santiago
Ultreia
Joe

All's well on 'The Way'

Hi everyone
Once again I'm sat in a plush Hotel , listening to thunderous rain outside
I arrived in Leon yesterday, after a hard weeks walking, where I walked over 150kms !
So I've now done 614 kms, with only another 312 before I get to Santiago !
It's the National Holiday weekend, so I thought I would join in ..
The weather has remained good, one days rain, but rest has been dry, although getting cooler
Lots of the time I have been traversing the high Meseta- the plains, averaging 850metres above sea level, with wide open fields and constantly changing views
The villages have been really small, and very welcoming - the Pilgrims being a great source of income to them all
Churches/ services have varied from grand affairs, a lovely blessing at the parish mass last Sunday, to benediction in a convent, with an elderly nun. And us all singing 'guantanamera' wonderful !
The hostels have been equally varied from a lovely room in the convent, with nice flowery bedspread, to a room with lots of bunks and 40 pilgrims ( many of them snoring !!)
Still meeting lots of differing people along the way, including an inspiring young man 'Eric' from South Korea, who as well as having hearing and speech difficulties, doesn't walk easily, but continues to pop up day after day, he's a star !
Anyway that's enough for now, hope everyone's well, I'll be back walking tomorrow
Joe

Finally…. a Day Off !!!

Hi everyone
I've now arrived in Burgos and taken the day off to visit the town.. And a little rest
The pictures are views from my rather grand bedroom overlooking the Cathedral, and looking up at the hotel!!
My complacency ( and relief )was cured by a Tummy bug, which I think I've now got rid of !!! At least I wasn't in a hostel somewhere...
I've walked 442kms and only another 490 kms to Santiago !!
The weather has been very favourable - dry, sometimes misty/ overcast/ cool sunshine, so not as testing as it could have been, the forecast remains dry and clear, as I travel up and over hills and plains..
I've continued to stay in some great old places... Church bell towers, old pilgrim hospitals, barns... With an assortment of masses, communal meals,late night services at churches or hostel chapels- really special and a Pilgrimage of ancient days...
I couldn't begin to tell all my stories, maybe one day..
Suffice to say it's what I wanted - a spiritual and physical challenge, with an assortment of nice people also on 'The Way'
Hopefully I'll be in Santiago in a few weeks
Hope everyone's also well, and surviving without me !!
Best wishes
Joe