Clearskies Camino - My times on the Camino
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Home
Latest Posts
Useful Planning Links
Previous Caminos
    Camino Francés - May 2012
    Camino Francés - May 2013
    Camino Francés - September 2014
    Camino Francés – May 2015
    Camino Finisterre 2016
Preparation for a Camino
Weekend Watch
  • Home
  • Latest Posts
  • Useful Planning Links
  • Previous Caminos
    • Camino Francés – May 2012
    • Camino Francés – May 2013
    • Camino Francés – September 2014
    • Camino Francés – May 2015
    • Camino Finisterre 2016
  • Preparation for a Camino
  • Weekend Watch
Clearskies Camino - My times on the Camino
camino de santiago, events

Hello everyone, a quick update.

So where do I begin? I hope you have your coffee in hand?

camino de santiago, news, update,

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?

February 8, 2021by Clearskies Camino
camino de santiago

Summer is coming soon…

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!

irish pilgrim blogger
January 17, 2021by Clearskies Camino
camino de santiago, preparation & planning, walk

It’s Christmas, but not as we know it!

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!


Like what you see? Why not like my Facebook page here and receive daily posts.

December 24, 2020by Clearskies Camino
camino de santiago, preparation & planning

The clock can’t keep moving fast enough..

At the start of this Covid crisis, I promised myself I would write more. This hasn’t been going to plan exactly. I have tried and I usually have an idea or two to put into a post each week. This week I have nothing. It’s just a shame I wasn’t in Spain this year – you can only talk about memories for so long. Maybe it is down to watching so much news? So much negativity can get you in a bad place. I know this is not what you want to hear in Camino blog but I’m going to be a little more positive.

Starting now…

A friend of mine is walking into Santiago on Monday after walking from Tomar in Portugal. I’m super excited for him but curious as to how he will be greeted in Santiago. Today, just three pilgrims received a compostela and it has been a while since one from Ireland received a compostela.

Next week, restrictions are being eased here in Ireland, so I can walk outside my 5k zone. I can now walk anywhere inside of Dublin and from the 18th of December, I can walk anywhere in Ireland. The walks I can take now! If I am to walk in Portugal in April, I need to start long walks as it has been a while.

December 16th is my birthday and on the day I usually walk from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Howth Harbour (photo of walk here). It is close to 24 km and mostly flat and all along the coast. I’m going to doing this for charity and any money raised will be going to Epilepsy Ireland. More of this later.

Clearskies Camino Podcast

The podcast is on pause until after Christmas. I have two episodes I need to edit and those will be uploaded in the coming weeks. I will be back then in the new year. I am looking forward to a new refreshed format. I have always said I am doing the podcast for myself and it depends on time constraints. If you have contacted me in the meantime, I will be in contact after Christmas when life (hopefully) gets back to normal.

November 28, 2020by Clearskies Camino
camino de santiago, camino portugués, news, preparation & planning

Enter annual leave…

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?

November 15, 2020by Clearskies Camino
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About me

Hello, my name is David. I am a peregrino living in Dublin, Ireland. I have visited Spain and Portugal and walked its many roads to Santiago since 2011. On this site, you will find my stories, photos, and observations from my Caminos and my planning for future Caminos. Feel free to get in touch with me here

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2018 astorga belorado blogging caminodesantiago camino de santiago camino francés caminoinglés caminomemories caminoportugués caminosocietyireland celticcamino clearskiescamino dontstopwalking dublin galicia ireland irishpilgrims justbe keepwalking kit life lisbon news peregrino photos pilgrim pilgrimage planning portugal preparation santiago sarria spain trails travel video vlog walk walking weekend weekendwatch weekend watch wordpress youtube

Categories

Latest Posts

  • Ideal viewing – Webinars for Planning your Camino!
  • Weekend Watch #78 – Patrick Rock, a pilgrim from Ireland
  • Hello everyone, a quick update.
  • Summer is coming soon…
  • Happy New Year! Feliz Ano Santo!
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