I have recently posted about Preparation and the need to speak to veteran pilgrims to get information if you are planning an upcoming Camino.

As we are in a pandemic, we aren’t allowed to meet in person but it does allow us to meet virtually and share this knowledge. If you are planning to walk when it is safe to do so, the below links will be useful.

1. American Pilgrims on the Camino – Boston Chapter are holding webinars on the 1st and 14th of March. You can register by clicking on the link above but if you cannot attend, the recording will be recorded. The webinar on “Unpacking your Camino” sounds appealing to me. Lisa Morales has been a guest on my podcast before Christmas.
2. CSJ – Confraternity of St. James – Camino Pilgrim – are holding 6 webinars starting on the 1st of March at 7 pm GMT. The first webinar focuses on the basics and the background of the Camino and over the weeks, further themes are developed. Each webinar is £2 and the recording is saved if you cannot attend. Again, highly recommended for someone new to the Camino de Santiago.

If you are planning on attending any of the above webinars, you might let me know.

Since I last posted, it has been a month of chills, of more lockdown, and of hopes dashed. Turning on the news leads to a bad news story. However, with all that is going on, I have been quietly redesigning this website that I call home. It isn’t entirely finished yet. I have a list the size of my hand yet to complete but I will get there. If all goes well the site will be back to some semblance of normality (on the internet) in a week or so.

As for life in general, we will be waiting for normality for another few months yet. Restrictions mean I am only able to travel with 5 km of my home until March at the earliest. And while I do love my little area, I long to walk on my favourite trails and I look forward to meeting my buddies again. I need to thank PJ for sending me a postcard a few weeks ago. It really lifted the spirits. I want to thank Lisa also for designing the banner at the top of the page. The Camino spirits is alive and well.

The Camino, while still in my heart, is not at the top of the list of things to do this year, however. There are more important things to look forward to. I look forward to no restrictions. I look forward to hugs. I look forward to being able to travel inside of Ireland. All of these things were taken for granted a few years back. The Camino de Santiago in 2022 seems like a good alternative, no matter how much I hate to say it.

So I have been going for my daily walk, and there are some good walks in this neck of the woods. It is important to get out after a day’s work – it does the world of good. Even for half an hour. Sitting in front of a screen for 7 hours while working at home can be detrimental that you need a release.

So as I look out the window and I see the snow falling (although it isn’t very much), I look forward and picture myself putting one foot in front of another on the trails in Spain. It won’t be long.

So how are you keeping during the last few weeks?

You may have realised that I have not been posting much either here or on my Facebook page. I am tired and after a day’s work, I find it takes great energy to write a piece especially when I am not sure when my next Camino will be. Our Level 5 restrictions will end at the end of the month, but I can see them being extended until care home residents are vaccinated, which is the end of March.

I am currently only able to walk 5km from my home. I try to keep the chin up but I long for the days when I am able to walk my favourite walks in or outside of Dublin. Maybe I will post again then.

I look forward to my next Camino always, but I look forward to seeing my Camino friends and walking my favourite walks.

Mind yourself folks and Buen Camino!

First of all, I want to wish you all the best of wishes for the year ahead. While covid-19 is by no means in the past, the future looks promising. I can see myself walking in Spain this year and life can get back to normal now that vaccines have been approved.

On Thursday evening, I was watching the Television de Galicia YouTube channel (like most pilgrims). The Holy Door of the Cathedral in Santiago was reopened following renovations to the Cathedral. 2021 is officially a Holy Year as St. James Day falls on a Sunday. The last Holy Year was in 2010 and large crowds flocked to Santiago and the Camino in general. A much smaller ceremony took place in the renovated Cathedral with specially invited dignitaries socially distanced. Here are the highlights below and you can click here to watch the full ceremony.

The Botufumiero was swung after, bringing back memories of my times in Santiago. I look forward to returning again. The renovations really look fabulous and the Cathedral looks as good as new. But the surprise of the night came at the end. The envoy of Pope Francis, the nuncio Bernardito Auza, read that the Holy Year is to be extended until the end of 2022 due to the special circumstances of the covid-19 pandemic. This is good for Galicia, this is good for pilgrims and this is good for the people of Spain.

We were treated to a musical celebration hosted by Carlos Nunez and guests. It was great to see folks from all over the world make an appearance, as well as our own Glen Hansard and the Naomhog. The 20 minutes or so is well worth a watch.

Like this post? Why not join other pilgrims on the Clearskies Camino Facebook page?

I have been working through my previous Caminos, creating content for my YouTube channel (plug, plug!!) and I have just finished creating a video from my Camino Finisterre in 2016. I can’t believe that was 4 years ago. Fun fact – I actually planned to walk this in May 2016 but I broke my toe the previous November which caused me to postpone my flights for a few extra months. And this was the first time I walked in September – I haven’t looked back since.

Even though it is such a short Camino, it is beautiful in it’s own right. Many pilgrims walk to Finisterre in 3 days and myself and my brother did this in 2019 (although 4 days is probably more advisable). In 2016, I walked over 5 days as I wanted to stretch the experience out.

The highlight of the Camino for me was reaching the plateau before Cee. I had climbed for almost 20 minutes and was beginning a desent of 1000 metres. I arrived at Finisterre the next day and watched the sun set that evening. I received nothing but friendliness, smiles and good wishes from the Galician people.

Please watch the below video and consider subscribing to my channel as I will be uploading more content in the future.

Read my daily dairy from the Camino Finisterre 2016 here