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.

As I have not had the opportunity to walk one of Spain’s great pilgrim’s paths this year, I’ve been reeling in the years by looking over photos from previous Caminos. I must say it has been quite enjoyable, even though I prefer to make new memories. During the two years of 2014 and 2015, I took a number of photos and videos from Spain and they are saved on Google Drive. I recently bought a licence for an app called Movavi (although there are many others that do the same thing) and I found some royalty free music. So I started putting together some clips from my previous Caminos.

The first thing that hit me was I have changed physically. I suppose we all have changed a little bit in 5/6 years. I really enjoyed these two years as I met some great pilgrim friends, some I am still in touch with today. In 2014, I walked from St. Jean Pied de Port to Belorado, I had 2 weeks available and it was so tough saying goodbye to my pilgrim buddies. It always is. In 2015, I walked from Belorado to Molinaseca – slightly more eventful, covering the awesome meseta (which I hope to walk in September) and the León hills.

Back to reality – Over the course of the next month, I will be uploading video clips from the next 5 Caminos from both Spain and Portugal. I would love you to subscribe by clicking here.

Thanks a million and Buen Camino!

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.

Boom! I’ve gotten my first training walk done and dusted. I am going in the right direction now. I had many a cobweb to shake off after my stay in hospital but it was good to take part in this one and with many great people. As I have mentioned before, I am part of the “Free Camino prep / training” group on Meetup.com. It is a group based in Dublin for those who are preparing for a trip to the Camino or who have been in the past. I really enjoy being around folks who have been or are in the midst of planning. While I was in hospital, the group has grown dramatically and there have been numerous walks around Dublin. The organiser of the group is walking his own Camino in late April and is eager to take on as many practise walks before he goes.

This walk was 15 km in length and started just outside Clontarf Train station. The sun was shining from the off and the whole of Dublin were out either walking, running or cycling. Over the course of the day, we walked northbound along the coast, taking in a detour through the sand dunes of Bull Island and out again at Sutton. After 4 hours, we ended up in the harbour town of Howth, where we had coffee and snacks. This was a perfect flat walk with little or no incline, but that said, it was very enjoyable.

There are events planned for the next two weeks; next Saturday sees us in Glendalough taking on the White Spinc trail, and the following Saturday (22nd) the Camino Society of Ireland are walking the Box of Frogs trail on Howth Head. More of those in the coming weeks.

September will see me on the Camino Frances for the seventh time. Eek! If you told me back in 2011 I would return to Spain for the following six years, I would look at you with wild disbelief! But yet, here I am and my mind is set on a return; this time walking from the Gaudi town of Astorga to Compostela.

With every year and every upcoming Camino, I spend a little time thinking of how I’d like to approach this trip and how I can make it a little different or unique to the last. Sometimes, these ideas just fade away once I find the first yellow arrow (and cerveza!), but other times I end up sticking to what I had planned. Each of my times on the Camino have been different in some shape or form, which is a good thing I suppose.

So, for September, here’s how I hope my time will go:

• Sarria – There are many books written about the number of pilgrims on the trail on reaching Sarria, which is the last point where you can start your Camino in order to obtain a Compostela. Due to the increased numbers, there is always a strain on accommodation. So, I have decided to pre-book albergues in a number of towns before Santiago. I have never been one to pre-book and if I was walking from, let’s say, St. Jean to Burgos, I wouldn’t do so. But I feel that if I am to enjoy my walk this time around, I may as well reserve. I now will have a little bit of weight taken off my shoulders and I can take my time. Booking.com is a great website to make these reservations. I haven’t made any bookings from Astorga to Sarria as there is no need!
• Less is more – In September 2016, while walking to Finistere, my pack weighed 7 kg. I reckon I can bring that down a little more. I have bought an Osprey 30 litre pack and am pretty happy with it. The less I bring, the less I have to worry about and my back won’t have any niggling pains! Now if only I could leave the smartphone at home!
• Brierley’s end stages – So many people religiously follow Brierley’s guidebook, thereby missing the great towns in between. Towns like Cacabelos, El Acebo, Las Herrerias, and Ribadiso are all passed daily by legions of pilgrims. I aim to stay in these towns. It will be a welcome change as I haven’t stayed there before, save for stopping for a cerveza. Oh, and I’m leaving a guidebook at home 🙂 The arrows can guide me.
• Pacerpoles – For the last few years I’ve walked with either a wooden stick bought before I start or with a single carbon pole. I’ve always found them a hindrance however as I like to have my hands free to take photos and reach for water etc. However, this year I will be making the climb to O Cebreiro so I’ve decided to bring along a set of pacerpoles that I bought before Christmas. It will make things a little easier and I won’t have those niggling back pains that I usually have (I hope!).  I have tried them a few times here in Ireland and they are pretty easy to get used to. I reckon they will be a help. Plus, I have been recommended them by a number of camigos! That said, I am usually the one who complains about the click-clacking of poles!
• Take my time – In years gone by, I have been told by a number of people that I am a “speedster”..whatever that is!? My typical day starts at 6 am and I like to check into an albergue before 1pm. That leaves me with the majority of the day to wash, rest, have some food in the evening and get to meet my fellow pilgrims! Sometimes, I don’t realise how fast I walk. In September, I hope to stretch the day out, slow down, start a little later, stop a little more, have numerous coffee breaks. Who knows, this may be the last time I walk the Camino Frances for some time! I’m in no hurry.
• Visit local churches – It’s very easy to forget that the Camino is a pilgrimage. I’m not particularly religious but I’ve always wanted to set aside 20 minutes a day while on the Camino to drop into a church and say a quick prayer. However, after walking 25kms each day, it is difficult to find the time.
• Use my knowledge of Spanish a little more – Creo que tengo buen español. Me gustaría hablar más a la gente local, sólo un poco! I guess this comes with confidence. Ordering a cafe con leche is second nature; speaking to someone from Spain is a challenge, but I’m up for it.

So, there is my wish-list for my September Camino. I may stick with the above, but then again, I may choose to do what I have done all along….let the Camino tell me what to do!