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?

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?

Hi guys, its the weekend again and those few days flew. It has been a busy few days.. It is important to keep yourself busy, especially where we are today. In Ireland, we have a Public Holiday on Monday so I am going to think about where I will walk this time around. Oh, I am sure you are dying to know.

As some of you know, especially those of you in Ireland, the restrictions will be loosened from May 18th which could see me back in the office in August. It is still a long time away. From now until May 18th, we are able to walk up to 5km from our home. A great website to find out where you can or can’t walk is https://2kmfromhome.com/5km. I can take a trip to the beach!

Another piece of news is that folks over the age of 70, who have up to now been cocooning, can go on daily walks up to 5 km. This is great news as I know some people who have been hidden away and are losing a little bit of sanity.

So from May 18th, the restrictions will be gradually eased. I for one hope to see my folks and family over the next few weeks. It’s been a long time and I do miss them.

And finally, news from Spain. Their own restrictions are being lifted. Over the course of the year, the many pilgrims hostels will adapt to the new Camino and the new normal. Many albergues will have to change due to social distance requirements. One thing is for sure, we won’t see hundreds of bunkbeds in an albergue again until a vaccine has been found. This article talks about the work that needs to be made to albergues to co-exist with Covid. Many pilgrims may wait until there is a vaccine, some will prefer to travel. All I know is the vaccine could be with us sooner than we think.

• 45 days left – but I wait for some calm..
• My return to Burgos and to the Meseta
• It looks like an end in sight: Exciting Times ahead!
• The Camino is Opening to Pilgrims – Weekend Watch #80
• Good news as Spain to welcome pilgrims from June!

Happy Easter everyone. I hope everyone is staying safe and staying at home. I just wanted to check in to say hi as we get ready for another few weeks of quarantine here in Ireland, or lock-in as I like to call it. It has been surreal not been able to see my good friends and family in over a month but I know once these clouds pass, I will see them plenty.

I have come to the conclusion that my Camino in September will not be happening this year. I have read a number of reports that Spain are closing their borders for the Summer months to control the virus, which you can understand. I will re-arrange my flights when Aer Lingus allow me to do so.

And then there are the economic consequences of the lock-down. Many countries will go into recession for a number of years. Luckily, I have been working away remotely at home and have been kept busy but there is always a growing concern for my future. l keep hoping anyway.

Anyway, that’s all the news. If any of you fellow pilgrims want to drop a line and chat, please do so, I would love to hear from you. Stay safe and buen Camino! Quedate!

Ok..since my last post, there have been more developments. And I have a feeling that will be the case for the next few months. Yesterday, we learned that our lord and saviour President Trump has placed a travel ban on flights from Europe (excluding UK and Ireland). Now, I’m not medically qualified, but this is highly unlikely to contain the virus. The only thing it has done has made some bad friends in Europe and made some US travellers very concerned.

But, enough of the politics. Here in Ireland, schools, colleges and public institutions will be closed until March 29th in the hope that it will delay the virus. On a personal level, it won’t be long before I will be working remotely and I look forward to it. I don’t feel any symptoms but it is only a matter of time. Here, we have 70 cases in Ireland but I believe we have far more.

And then there is Spain. First of all, no case of coronavirus has been detected on the Camino de Santiago. No pilgrim or hospitalero has tested positive for the virus. Until now, the main infectious areas in Spain remain concentrated in three points: the Community of Madrid, Vitoria and La Rioja. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has advised against non essential travel to these areas. For those with trips planned to the Camino, it may mean postponing for a few months (or next year). Coupled with that, some albergues are closing or curtailing beds due to coronavirus prevention.

I am still hoping to walk in September. Six months is a long time in dog years. In the meantime, let’s try and get together and look out for the more vulnerable in society. If I am unable to travel in September, the Camino isn’t going away anytime soon!