I have been very lucky to have an employer who allows me to traipse across Spain or Portugal for two or three weeks at a time. It is not a full Camino, I get that, but I am quite happy to wait for a few more years. However, given the current climate, I am happy to be in this position. In Summer, on learning I was not walking to Santiago this year, I had quite the decision to make with what to do with my annual leave. Do I find a trail in Ireland to walk? Do I visit a long lost cousin? or do I just re-watch all the episodes of Beyond the Way and Don’t stop Walking with vino and tapas?

Well, due to current restrictions, I can’t do A or B (no matter how much I would like to find a long lost cousin), so C is a pretty good start! And there are plenty of opportunities to walk close to me. But most of all, I just want the time to let the mind rest and catch up on a few things I had let slip.
Monthly updates
You can now receive monthly updates to your email by signing up to my mailing list. So if you want to keep in touch without visiting the site regularly, that might be a good option for you? An email will be sent at the end of the month.
Clearskies Camino Podcast
I have 11 episodes recorded – the last episode was recorded yesterday. I have no further interviews due to record. Now would be an ideal time to record a podcast or two, now that I am free. If you are in anyway interested in sharing your Camino story, please let me know. I will record a few solo podcasts during this time off but having guests on really adds to it. See below my last episode:
Continuing to give back…
I have renewed my membership with Camino Society Ireland. At present, we cannot meet until it is safe to do so. The Information Centre in Dublin is closed and has been since March. I look forward to return once it opens and when events are planned.

Camino Plans
My 2021 Camino is still on track as I plan to walk in Portugal in April. I fly to Lisbon on the 10th of April and leave from Porto two weeks later. Where I take my first step, is one question I will leave closer to the starting date. I had hoped to walk from Porto, along the coast to Santiago, but I’m not sure about walking in Spain. Plan B would be to start in Tomar or Coimbra (my original plan) and walk to the border (Caminha) before turning back to Porto.
I’m sure it will be easier to call closer to the date.
So, how has your weekend been?
I walked the Portuguese Coastal route from Porto to Caminha in 2017. It was absolutely fantastic. My sister and I are planning on walking the route in 2022…
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I’d say it was magical! I walked further on from A Guarda in 2018 – it was great to walk along the coast at my left until the Camino moves inland at Redondela.
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Absolutely right, magical is a good word. From Caminha I took the train to Valenca that has the most astounding city within a fort, and the camino route tracks through the streets and beneath the walls. From there I crossed into Spain via the International Bridge and into Tui…ans ultimately Santiago. One of the best things I’ve done with my life…
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I’ll be honest with you, I have very little knowledge of the Central Route but I really want to walk through Valenca, Tui and so on. One of these days! The Central Route has much more history to it compared to the Coastal Route.
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Valenca was fantastic. I’m just sorry I didn’t have a rest day so I could explore and absorb it more. Tui as well. I’m definitely planning a day in each place on the next Camino. I’m also going to plan shorter days so I can enjoy the towns along the Portuguese coast.
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Go for it! There are no rules….you just need to walk! 🙂 I think many people make the mistake of not factoring in a rest day, or taking in a short day to see the sights.
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Absolutely. I only had 2 rest days and 2 half days,but there were other towns I wanted to explore, so next trip I’ll factor those in. I learned a fantastic word a few weeks ago ‘yompers’ – I saw plenty of those on the way… 😉
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There’s only one thing I can say about our Portuguese Camino in 2018 … the coastal route from Porto to Caminha was magical ☺️
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Aha, another fan of the coastal route…I haven’t walked past Porto yet but soon 🙂
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