Fancy walking vicariously with some peregrin@s all the way to Santiago? Now you can. A pair of Galician musicians are ten days into their Camino and it is being broadcast in real time online by TVG, the Galician TV service. Currently, they are en route to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. You can watch the stream over on www.destinosantiagotvg.gal. They also provide regular updates on Twitter and Facebook. Enjoy!

I think it is no secret that I wish to create a podcast to help others (and in turn myself) get ready for a trip to Spain / Portugal. I have all the necessary equipment and I hope to have the first episode uploaded shortly.

Over the coming weeks, I am looking to talk to other pilgrims who wish to share their pilgrim experience. And that’s where you come in.

• How did you hear about the Camino de Santiago?
• How did you prepare?
• Is there any equipment you would recommend?
• What about pilgrim routes in your own country?

An episode will last approx 30-40 minutes and all episodes will be found online.

Contact email: clearskiescamino@gmail.com

I hope to hear from you soon

Instagram: @clearskiescamino

Most years in the month of May, you would find me in Spain or Portugal walking. Not this month. Or even not this year. Instead I am looking back on old trips. I find it is a suitable replacement.

• 2011 – I was preparing for my first trip, walking from Sarria on the first week of June.
• 2012 – I was just days away from walking from Orbigo and my second encounter on the Camino Frances.
• 2013 – In a week’s time this year, I would fly out to Bilbao to walk from Logrono
• 2015 – I finished this year’s Camino in Molinaseca this year and made my way to Santiago for my flight home.
• 2018 – I made the trip to A Guarda in Portugal and walked to Santiago with my brother
• 2019 – I walked with my brother again to Ferrol and walked to Santiago and on to the coast.

I have been reliving these Caminos day-by-day with photographs on my Instagram. Feel free to join me. At present, I am looking back on my 2015 Camino to Molinaseca. Next week, I will start walking from Logrono to Leon from back in 2013.

Padrón to Santiago de Compostela

One of our longer days due to an error in the distance markers at O Milladoiro. We set off early from Padrón with the sun yet to rise on a wet and drizzly morning. But hey! we were in Galicia! Our minds were set on Santiago and arriving in the Praza!

The first interesting village of today is Iria Flavia. This was an important Celtic settlement. Later the Romans gave it municipal rank as a Roman road passed through it. The Collegiate Church of Iria Flavia was built between the 12th and the 17th century over an old church that dates back to the 1st century. This was the first cathedral in Galicia.

The path meandered through villages, rural areas, and some lovely woodland paths. We stopped at a cafe just off a main road in A Escravitude. The owner treated us to large tostadas and cafe con leche at quite a reasonable price. Across the road from the cafe is a large church. Unfortunately, it was not open at the time and we walk on. We walk away from the main road for a while until we reach A Picarana.

From here to Santiago, the Way is a mix of pathway and cobblestone. We arrive at Milladoiro and the route is straightforward although we are eager to arrive at the main square. We arrive in via the south and not under the archway which is new to me. The Praza is bustling with pilgrims who have walked from all parts of Spain. We stand and look at the Cathedral and high-five while the rain teems down. It was Ray’s first time in Santiago and he found the whole time extremely positive. We decided to wait until the following day to collect our credentials. It left me with some time to meet some people in Santiago – especially Nate and Faith in Pilgrim House.  The following day, we attended the English Mass in the Capilla del Pilar. Once home, I started plotting my next jaunt across Spain.

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.

• 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!