First of all, I want to wish all my readers a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas. The year has been very challenging for many people but because of Covid-19, it means many people are unable to meet like they normally do each year. I am looking forward to 2021 and to get back out to Spain, once able.

Let’s rewind one week and while I heavily promoted this on Facebook and Instagram, I failed to update you of my charity walk on December 15th. I usually walk this each year from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Howth Harbour (approx 24km) for Epilepsy Ireland. I posted a fundraiser on my Facebook and low and behold the donations came thick and fast. Epilepsy is a condition I have been living with since my teens so I always love to give something back to EI each year since they do trojan work for folks like me! The day was perfect with good clear spells and only one short rain shower. I was surprised by fellow pilgrim Elizabeth who joined me for the last 10 kms to Howth. I was great to see her as we had not met since July.

One week after the walk, the government decident to impose restrictions again due to the increased cases. So you could say I was lucky to get the chance to walk. €204 was raised for this great cause. Thanks to everyone who donated. I felt the pain the next day as I had not walked over 10km since July! I have posted a video of the walk on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe to my account for further videos!

So, Christmas will be a quiet affair. I have a few posts to write here before the end of the year. I have a post to write for my mailing list folks also and expect a few more videos on my YouTube account. Regardless, I hope you have safe and happy Christmas!

Feliz Navidad y Buen Camino a todos!

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I’m lucky my family appreciates that I enjoy wandering through Spain, Portugal and indeed Ireland with a backpack on my back. Santa (or my family, you decide) has been to the Smith household and he certainly is a pilgrim at heart. I have a number of walks planned for 2020 and these few gifts really hit the spot.

For preparation walks leading up to my Kerry Camino and my Portuguese Camino, I was surprised with an Osprey Daylite Plus pack. Not the first Osprey pack I own, this is the first Osprey 20 litre pack I own. I will still use my Lowe Alpine 35 litre for my Caminos, however this day pack is perfect for daily walks.

I was also surprised with replacement dry bags. These are essential if you are walking on a Camino, in my opinion. I was looking to buy these before I leave for Porto in September.

All in all, it was a good day with the family but I look forward to my first walk of the year. I hope you all had a good Christmas and were pleasantly surprised.

I will keep this short. I will write a longer post once the festivities are over. It’s kind of surreal that we are moving into a new decade, 2020. I remember the start of the millennium, so time is surely flying. I think that was one of the last times I truly rang in the New Year.

But we are not there yet. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and while many will still rush and worry about not “being ready”, in essence, the material things don’t matter at the end of the day.

Christmas is about family, friends and looking forward to good times ahead. I like to think of those who read this blog as my Camino family! So to all who read my posts and have supported me throughout the year, I wish you a Happy Christmas and the very best for 2020.

So it’s that time of year. If you are a pilgrim or you have a friend or family member who is a long-distance walker or pilgrim, this video may be helpful. For me, a few small items or a voucher for an outdoor store means more than splashing out on anything I won’t use.

This great post from Nadine lists a number of other suggestions, including books, backpacks, or journals. But if you are closer to home, why not treat your favourite pilgrim to membership to his or her local Camino society or association, in my case Camino Society Ireland. It is just €20 for the year and you will be in touch with other pilgrims as you plan other Caminos.

Buen Camino!

6 Things I Did in 2018

Another year has passed. So much has happened in the past 12 months involving the Camino. It’s nice to have the last few weeks free to reflect on the past and think of the future. I’ve decided to do another post where I look back on 2018. 

1. The end of the year saw the first ever Camino Society Ireland Photo Contest on the 16th of December 2017 at St. James Church in Dublin. A photo I took near Ledigos was included in that exhibition and also in an exhibition in the Cervantes Institute in Lincoln Place. I wrote about the first exhibition here and the second exhibition in March here. These same photos have travelled from Ireland to Spain and back again and are currently situated in the Information Centre in St. James Street. 
2. Another way of being a pilgrim on the Camino is to Volunteer. I gladly “give back” to the Camino through Camino Society Ireland. As well as giving information in the centre in St. James Street in Dublin, I edit their quarterly newsletter “Shamrocks And Shells” and help with social media. The newsletter is now a little over a year old and 4 issues have been produced, with over 20 thousand views. Something I am quite proud of.
3. The first Celtic Camino Festival in Westport was a success. I was there from the 13th to the 15th of April 2018 and it was marked with talks, a showing of the Camino Voyage, and a Celtic Camino walk. I wrote an article here.
4. December 28th will mark my 1st year in Donabate. A great little town but with so much work planned for the future, I’m not sure if I am to call this home just yet. Over 700 homes have been approved, but without the right facilities and infrastructure, it will be chaos going to and from work. The Northern Commuter train line is fine but there are no bus services. 
5. I walked the Camino Portuguese with my brother from A Guarda in May. We walked into Santiago in the rain. I loved every second of it.
6. Immediately on returning, I booked flights to return to the Camino Frances. I walked from Puente la Reina to Burgos in September.

6 Photo Memories of 2018

A List of What You Want to Change in the New Year

There are many things in my life I am happy with. I’m loving life in my new home, I have many good friends but I would be lying if I said I am 100% happy with my lot. I’m not. There are a few areas I want to better myself in and there is no time like the New Year to start. So here’s my list for 2018:

• Focus on my blog. My blog has been slipping. I just need to allocate my time more evenly. I have upgraded the blog in the last few weeks so there is no excuse now for more content. With planned Caminos in May and September, I will hope to upload videos from my time in Spain.
• Think of ways to walk a full 30+ day Camino, whilst still managing to pay a mortgage. 
• Plan a trip to Canada to visit peregrino friends (for 2019 or beyond).
• Improve my writing, maybe find a writing skills course.
• Make more of an effort to meet new people and be more social.
• Dig out my guitar again: it has been so long since I played a tune. I guess confidence comes into it. 

Your Resolutions?

And there we have it. Another summary of my year. How was your 2018?