I’ve learned a lot having talked to my podcast guests over the last number of months. First of all, it has been a pleasure to re-walk their Camino with them during this challenging time. Secondly, it gives me an outlet to give back – something that I have been doing for three years and I look forward to continue doing so when some kind of normality returns. It is encouraging to see people from all over the world listening in and I am grateful for that. I am not sure how long I can continue creating podcasts but if pilgrims wish to share their story with me, I will keep going. I had a great chat with Adam, a English pilgrim I met in 2017. We shared many memories and it was fun to talk after so long. Being part of a Camino family really helps your Camino experience in my opinion and we talked about that.

Prior to that, I spoke to Samantha from Thunder Bay, Canada. She walked the Camino Francés last May. She left her home with a question “Who really am I?” and returned with a different outlook on life. Following her Camino, she left her job as a financial consultant and once normality returns, Samantha will guide women on pilgrimages and retreats. She has a website www.shewalksthewalk.com where you can find all her details. The Camino has the ability to change you, only if you let it.

For me, change has been tiny but noticeable. The most obvious change is the call to give back to the Camino, both in written form on my blog and as a volunteer. I have been writing for years and many other pilgrims have been doing the same for far longer. I started to volunteer three years ago in Dublin. Secondly, I like to think that I have a more positive outlook. Yes, this pandemic is far from ideal but it will go away and we will be walking in Spain again. I am sure of it. And finally, and I suppose this relates to personal items, since 2012/2013 my hoarding days are over. Anything, that I do not need I usually give away. I live by how I walked on the Camino. I walk 2-3 weeks most years with bare essentials in a backpack and I am carrying on that idea.

So how has the Camino de Santiago changed you?

After writing my last post, there has been progress, my good friends. I have managed to get this podcast off the ground and it is online ready for all for listen. I have recorded with Skype and ran with Anchor.fm. Anchor not only publish the podcast but send it to all the main listening platforms, which is very nice of them.

The first episode was a solitary affair where I talked about my first jaunt to Santiago way back in 2011. I am considering a few more episodes where I talk about albergues, and websites to review when preparing for your Camino. The second episode is with Querien, who writes whenawayfarer.com. She is such a positive person and I enjoyed the conversation.

With all highs, there are downsides and the first came on Friday evening when I was talking to Elizabeth, my Mexican peregrina friend. Halfway through a fascinating chat, my laptop crashed. I had been experiencing problems with the hard drive all week so I had managed to back up what I could before hand.

Fast forward to today, I have a new laptop and I can continue with my podcast and with writing. I am now on annual leave from work so I have a little time on my hands.

The offer is open to all pilgrims if you wish to share your experience, please message me.

Podcast link: www.anchor.fm/clearskiescamino

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vOIpQrJvkYuPScThcKyyP