It is not long until my arrival in Burgos, and the start of my Camino Francés. I am glad it is the weekend again. I look forward to seeing some of the outdoors again now that the weather has picked up. I look forward to my walks as I get away from the computer screen and it is good to stretch the legs. I do worry that the situation in Spain and across Europe has detiorated. It’s 45 days left, I wait for some calm before I focus putting one foot in front of the other.

With over 7,500 pilgrims arriving in Santiago de Compostela in the last week from many different nations, Irish pilgrims can start visiting Spain from the 19th of July if they wish as non-essential travel returns. While most pilgrims will choose to wait until 2022, the number of pilgrims will increase during the rest of the Summer months right through to the end of the year. Some will choose to walk to Santiago and earn a Compostela while others (like myself) will walk a small section ending their Camino with a promise to return. I’ve a few things to do before then.

a) St James’ Day – the patron Saint of Santiago

St. James’ Day falls on July 25th. When St James’ Day falls on a Sunday (ie 2021 and 2022 because of Covid) Santiago de Compostela and Spain celebrate the feast of St James (“fiesta de Santiago” in Spanish). Unfortunately, I won’t be in Spain, but I can do the next best thing.

I want to meet some pilgrims friends at the Church of St James in Dublin. I have been somewhat reluctant to visit the city centre in the last year but now is a great chance. Last year, I celebrated St. James’ Day by walking to the Church of St James – please feel free to read the post that I have linked.

b) More practice walks and be Camino-fit.

In the last few months, I have been racking up the steps in my locality in the north side of Dublin, however I haven’t ventured that far. To be Camino-fit, I really need to be hitting the hills soonish. The last 15 months of laying low has had an effect on me physically and time will tell if I can manage the Alto de Mostalares with the sun blazing on my back. I have all the gear, I probably need a replacement pair of socks and some washing kit that I can buy in Spain. I am excited to use the DJI Osmo Pocket to record some video while I am there.

c) Keeping an eye on Spain

I try not to listen or watch the news here in Ireland. There isn’t anything good to come out of it and it generally doesn’t help my wellbeing. I am fully vaccinatined so I know what I need to do if I am to visit Spain. The only thing that can stop me visiting Spain are the increasing restrictions. So I am keeping an eye on Spain at the moment and willing to make a call before the end of the month. With 45 days left, I am hoping for some calm and I am as positive as I can be. I am hoping that cases in Spain start to plateau shortly. I am using the below link for updates from Spain. It contains this informative map also. More news before the end of the month. Of course, your feedback is welcome.

• https://www.rtve.es/noticias/20210716/mapa-del-coronavirus-espana/2004681.shtml

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In years past, I would upload one video per year and the only answer for that is I didn’t record enough video. With the advent of instagram and smarter phones, more pilgrims are taking record of their experiences by video. In 2017 I started this. I had quite a bit of footage from 2018 and 2019 too. In time I will upload them.

Please consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and you will be notified on my latest upload.

In this video, I walked from Burgos to Carrion de los Condes – a quite easy section of the Camino Francés however I did find it challenging due to the heat. As a result, I started my day earlier to beat the higher temperatures.

Burgos – Hostal Evolución
I booked a single room here shortly before leaving home as I would be arriving late in Burgos. Hostal Evolución is central, it is clean however given the choice, I would stay in the main albergue in Calle Fernan Gonzalez.

Hontanas – Albergue El Puntido
There was never any doubt that I would stay in Hontanas after my first day’s walking. It’s a beautiful town. I’ve been here before twice preferring to stay in the municipal albergue at the end of the town. I preferred a change this time. Not only is El Puntido an albergue, but it boasts a restaurant, a bar and a tiny tienda at the back. Hontanas is not short of places to stay but El Puntido must be one of the better albergues on the Camino.

Boadilla del Camino – Albergue En El Camino
I can’t speak highly enough about En El Camino. Eduardo and his family will always be in my heart. I’ve been here three times and if you haven’t stopped off in En El Camino, I’d encourage you to do so. The pool is one of the many reasons I stay here!

Carrión de los Condes – Albergue Parroquial Santa Maria del Camino
When I arrived in Carrión de los Condes, I text a friend and she asked me “Is that the one with the singing nuns?”. Well, yes is the answer to that question but on the day I arrived, the nuns were on sabbatical leave. In their place were volunteers who made us all feel at home. I won’t say anymore, but if you do wish to stay in Carrión de los Condes, make sure you stop by Albergue Santa Maria. Staying there is an experience you won’t forget.

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.

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.

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OK so I rarely buy books on the Camino de Santiago, choosing to visit my local library or the the Irish Camino Society. However, a book was brought to my attention before Christmas that I needed to add to my collection.

Written by Angelika Schneider, Johnnie Walker, and Stephen Shiels, and centred on the Via de la Plata, the book is a back-to-basics homage to the Camino. All photography is in black and white and all proceeds go to those who help on the Camino.

I look forward to receiving my copy. More details on http://www.beautyofthecamino.com.