Scott Paul

Joined April 2017 Message

Scott Paul Camino Frances 2017
Day35
Even a Pilgrim ...
October 14, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
... needs to rest.

After 35 days of walking, Coleen and I are content to trade out our hiking boots for sandals for the balance of our time here in Spain. We returned to Santiago de Compostella for a second time this morning. Our total mileage on the 3 Caminos we've hiked is just north of 1,000 kilometers by my calculation.

But truly as one Camino graffiti author wrote "Smiles, not miles, are what counts" and we've had thousands of those.

Much like the Galician dirt and manure have insinuated themselves into my Scarpa boots, the call of the Camino has resonated deep in my soul. I expect we will return.

Hasta luego from this side of the Atlantic and I look forward to catching up with all of you when we return to Canada.

ScottRead more
Marie Vander Linden
Congratulations Scott and Coleen. What an adventure you have been on! It has been fascinating following you on your journey. I do hope it has been everything you hoped it would be. Just WOW!
10/17/17Reply
Reg Eyre
Congratulations!! It is indeed time to put the feet up and enjoy a moment or two on completing such a trip and letting us tag along and not even break a sweat. Hope it was all you expected and more.
10/17/17Reply
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Oct 14, 2017, 4:18pm · ☀️ 22 °C · Altitude: 280 m · 42°52'52" N 8°32'33" W
Spain Santiago de Compostela Jet Museum
Scott Paul Camino Frances 2017
Day34
Misty Galician Morning
October 13, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
We walked for 4 hours this morning and never saw a single pilgrim on the Camino Ingles. It is much less travelled than the Camino Françes and notwithstanding its name there is very little English spoken on the Camino Ingles. However the solitude and woodland trails for the most part have been delightfully serene.

The Galcian mists can be spooky in the morning particularly when two cats decide to fight on a tree limb just over your head. I just about jumped out of my hikers!Read more
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Oct 13, 2017, 4:03pm · ☀️ 19 °C · Altitude: 242 m · 42°58'3" N 8°26'36" W
Spain Santiago de Compostela Sigüeiro
Scott Paul Camino Frances 2017
Day34
Camino Ingles ... Never Stop
October 13, 2017 in Spain ⋅ 🌫 12 °C
Unexpectedly we have a few unplanned days on our itinerary. ... what to do, what to do?

We chose to walk a section of another Camino called the Camino Ingles. This track will also take us to Santiago de Compostella via another route.

Coleen was interviewed by a Kiwi pilgrim doing a documentary so perhaps she will become famous on this Camino!Read more
Laura Paul
"Now what shall we do ? Let's go for a walk. " That's pretty funny and wonderful too.
10/13/17Reply
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Oct 13, 2017, 7:18am · 🌫 12 °C · Altitude: 306 m · 43°5'46" N 8°22'55" W
Spain Ordes Buscás
Scott Paul Camino Frances 2017
Day32
Chasing our Shadows
October 11, 2017 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
We've come to the end of the world -- Finisterre.

In medieval times, the pilgrim would strip, jump into the Atlantic and burn his clothes on the beach. He would then find a clam shell, proof of the pilgrimage, and then walk home.

Coleen and I, no terra firma left to walk westward chasing our shadows, did nothing so dramatic. In a granite rock, we watched the sun set into the ocean while sipping red wine.

This signaled the official end to the Camino -- a symbolic time of death and rebirth when the sun rises tomorrow. And the two of us will rise and greet that sun with renewed purpose.Read more
Laura Paul
Congratulations to the two of you. We are enthusiastically cheering from the sidelines. A sense of renewed purpose is a pilgrimage indeed, a long journey, one step at a time.
10/11/17Reply
Rod Yokoyama
Congratulations Scott and Coleen! Spend the time reflecting on your journey, purpose and accomplishments! I'm sure you have a lot of memories from your journey. Well Done!!
10/12/17Reply
Marie Hutchison
Beautiful!
10/18/17Reply
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Oct 11, 2017, 9:05pm · 🌙 13 °C · Altitude: 287 m · 43°0'32" N 9°1'39" W
Spain Dumbría Regoelle
Scott Paul Camino Frances 2017
Day31
The Call of the Sea
October 10, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
Walking down a shaded forest track I could hear the Atlantic Ocean gently lapping against the Spanish coast. It was a beautiful sound.

There is a certain symmetry to this as we began our Camino odyssey by flying from the Irish sea coast to Biarritz on the French side of the Atlantic. Now here in the Spanish resort town of Muxia, the Atlantic Ocean calls out our names as we have one leg left to this pilgrimage.

Tomorrow we walk along the Coast of Death to the End of the World. Cliffhanger or what!Read more
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Oct 10, 2017, 7:22pm · ☀️ 14 °C · Altitude: 18 m · 43°6'20" N 9°13'2" W
Spain Muxía Mugia Punta Lagosteiras
Scott Paul Camino Frances 2017
Day30
Humbled ...
October 9, 2017 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 13 °C
It never fails.

Just when Coleen and I are patting ourselves on the back for our Camino efforts we meet someone else who wows us. Over a peregrino supper tonight we met a Belgian man who turns 67 years old this Saturday. Jean-Pierre left his home in Belgium 5 1/2 months ago and has been walking each day since on Camino trails in Belgium, France and Spain. Remarkable.

Last night we met a man and a woman who have been walking from Paris with their dog and a donkey for months on the Camino.

Like caffeine the Camino is highly addictive -- but harder on the feet!Read more
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Oct 9, 2017, 9:04pm · 🌙 13 °C · Altitude: 284 m · 42°58'0" N 9°2'21" W
Spain Mazaricos Colúns
Scott Paul Camino Frances 2017
Day29
He's not getting my shoes ...
October 8, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Let me introduce you to John, an Irishman we met on the Way. John was attending a wedding in Paris when he decided to hike the Camino. When advised of this impulsive decision, John's friend asked him what he was going to do with his dress clothes. John did not have an answer.

Passing a Parisienne homeless person, John's friend gave the unkempt man John's suit, waistcoat, dress shirt, pants and tie. Later that evening they saw the same man -- now transformed and all decked out in John's attire. The bloke called over John's friend and said a few words. John asked his friend what the man had said. He wanted your shoes was the friend's reply.

John retorted: "He's not getting my shoes!"Read more
Reg Eyre
They say every day is an adventure...and you sure are having an adventure. So nice to see you enjoying the sights and the interesting folks.
10/8/17Reply
Ben Nielsen
Lovely folks those Irish! Just like the days of the Wild West, you can take my wife and my whiskey, but don't touch my horse and my boots!
10/8/17Reply
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Oct 8, 2017, 3:24pm · ☀️ 21 °C · Altitude: 164 m · 42°54'35" N 8°43'56" W
Spain Negreira Logrosa
Scott Paul Camino Frances 2017
Day28
I did it my Way ...
October 7, 2017 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 18 °C
Combine 28 days, 799 kilometers, 3 blisters, one case of shin splints, numerous new friends, three cathedrals and then throw in some octopus, Galician stew, Rioja wine and almond cake and what do you get? An official latin Compostella and congratulations from the Pilgrim Office staff who verifies your credentials. Coleen and I have gone the distance.

We sleep tonight in Santiago de Compostella at the Last Stamp Albergue under a waning full moon and a warm glow of accomplishment in our hearts.Read more
Dick Nyenhuis
Find a hot tub too Scott!!! Congratulations. I would have quit at 7.99 km!
10/7/17Reply
Ben Nielsen
Congratulations Scott and Coleen. I think both of you deserve some plumage (i.e. a mighty big feather) in your hats. Bravo Conquistadores!
10/8/17Reply
Marie Hutchison
Wahoooo.....congratulations Scott & Coleen! I can't even begin to imagine the wide range of emotions you must be experiencing as you finish this incredible journey and the self-discovery and wisdom that you gained every step of the Way! Nicely done friends!
10/11/17Reply
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Oct 7, 2017, 9:41pm · 🌙 18 °C · Altitude: 276 m · 42°52'51" N 8°32'33" W
Spain Santiago de Compostela Jet Museum
Scott Paul Camino Frances 2017
Day27
The Last Stamp
October 6, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
When I was a young lad I collected stamps which opened up my world to far off lands and national symbols. Each day on the Way we collect at least one "sello" or stamp for our pilgrim credencial, usually from the Albergue we are staying at.

The credencial (or passport) is proof of our trip, where we started and stopped along the Way. It is required in Santiago de Compostella if we want to receive an official document written in Latin that says we have completed our Camino.

Appropriately enough when we reach Santiago de Compostella tomorrow we will be staying at an albergue called The Last Stamp.

The excitement is building. Only 19.8 km to walk tomorrow morning to reach the Cathedral in Santiago and add some more ink to my credencial.Read more
Dick Nyenhuis
Wow Well done you 2. That is an awesome feat and sounds like life changing experience...
10/7/17Reply
Rod Yokoyama
Awesome!! That is an incredible feat! I think a good foot massage is in order too!
10/9/17Reply
Rod Yokoyama
Sorry. This comment was to go with your certificate post
10/9/17Reply
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Oct 6, 2017, 6:44pm · ☀️ 21 °C · Altitude: 265 m · 42°54'14" N 8°21'38" W
Spain Pino, O Arca
Scott Paul Camino Frances 2017
Day26
Feliz Cumpleanno
October 5, 2017 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
On this fine day in Manitoba, Canada a beautiful baby, now woman, was born. Happy birthday Coleen.

Greetings from around the world are being sent your way from family, old friends and new Camino friends.

Have a great day mi amor.Read more
Rod Yokoyama
Happy birthday Coleen! Hope it's Awesome!!! Love the pictures!
10/5/17Reply
Ben Nielsen
Happy belated birthday to you Coleen. Missed this post, sorry but i'm sure was a most memorable birthday this year.
10/8/17Reply
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Oct 5, 2017, 5:38pm · ☀️ 21 °C · Altitude: 460 m · 42°54'53" N 8°1'2" W
Spain Melide

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