And so it begins ...
10. syyskuuta 2017, Ranska ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
... with a single step on a French cobblestone lane under a stone arch which has seen millions of pilgrims over many centuries. Coleen and I add our names to the traveling ledger of wayfarers who haveLue lisää
And that's no Bull ...
13. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
After a rough trip over the Pyrenees in driving rain and wind, Pamplona was a much needed boost today. In the City where bulls are loosed onto the cobble streets each summer, we enjoyed wondrousLue lisää
The Walking Wounded
14. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
We have been told that you walk the Camino with your head not your feet. Lofty sentiments but there is no convincing my two blistered toes and wonky knees that this is true. All manner of pilgrims areLue lisää
Pointing the Way
15. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
It's hard to get lost on the Way. Flechas amarillos -- yellow arrows are always close by to guide you past historic churches, thru tiny villages and hillside trails. When a yellow arrow isn'tLue lisää
No room at the Inn
16. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C
Arrived this evening and all the albuerges are full. The town is putting up about 40 pilgrims in a library building which is bring renovated. Only 1 bathroom amongst us all. Looks like a refugee camp.Lue lisää
Always moving .... forward
17. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Illuminated only by our single headlamp, the trail out of Navarette was spooky this morning at 6:15 AM when we struck off. Once it has risen, the sun is a great guide in the morning as we need only toLue lisää
Walk, Eat, Sleep. ..
18. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
.... and then repeat. Life is simple on the Way.
O' Canada, O' Camino ...
19. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C
Of all the nationalities on the Camino right now, Canada would appear to be over represented. Lotsa Canucks from BC, the Prairies, Ontario and Quebec. Canadians have become the subject of muchLue lisää
Burgos ... oh wow.
20. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
The medieval pilgrim arriving at the jaw - dropping cathedral in Burgos might have been tempted to stay here awhile for surely this was a place where heaven and earth seemed just a little closer. ALue lisää
Give a Pilgrim a grape ...
21. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
and he'll take a cluster.
Pilgrims are a rather unkempt, smelly and disheveled bunch until rejuvenating showers in the late afternoom make us human again. In the big cities we stick out like soreLue lisää
Place and pace
22. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
The Way, right now, is the PLACE for me. The terrain on the Meseta is remarkably familiar to me -- sun-baked Southern Alberta without the coulees. Mostly flat but at times we hike up and out of aLue lisää
Illumination. ...
23. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
... can take many forms. As we started off in the dark this morning from Boadilla our path was lit with my headlamp. Later in an ancient church, modern stain glass windows illuminated the stonyLue lisää
The Fallen
23. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
Marita was born 27 years ago on a beautiful summer day in Calgary. This post is dedicated to her.
There are sobering moments on the Camino when you come across a monument or a cross memorializing aLue lisää
The simple things ...
24. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
... in life are the best. Today that was two large slices of watermelon, being enthusiastically greeted by our Spanish friend Andrés, and sharing a laugh with a Belgian hiking trio. And now a tintoLue lisää
Sing a Song ...
25. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
I've been singing on the Way from time to time. Right now I have the Carpenters' "Sing a Song" on my Camino sing list.
Last night at an Italian albergue we were treated to a live guitar performanceLue lisää
Leon .. like moths to a flame
27. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Medieval pilgrims and modern pilgrims alike are drawn to the Spanish cities for provisions and to be wowed by their cathedrals. Leon is no exception. An elegant cathedral with exceptional stainedLue lisää
A Knight's Tale ...
27. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
It's beginning to look a lot like ... the Medieval Ages. Grand cobblestone bridges, jousting fields and all manner of statuary and signage evoking the days of knights, chivalrous deeds and quests.Lue lisää
Slow down ... you move too fast
28. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Ya gotta make the morning last. Just skipping down the cobblestones. Lookin' for fun and feeling groovy.
This Paul Simon song has come to mind many times over the past 24 hours. Last night, we stayedLue lisää
Cross my heart
29. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
We have left the Meseta, the great plains of Spain, and have headed into the mountains. Crosses everywhere including the famous iron cross at Cruz Ferro where we left a heart stone that Coleen foundLue lisää
And the words of the prophet are written
30. syyskuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
... well in Spain, they are written everywhere. On Camino markers, underpasses and traffic signs. I have grown to appreciate the colours and novelty demonstrated by the Spanish graffiti artists andLue lisää
Look, there's a castle. ..
1. lokakuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
I love castles.
Yesterday in Ponferrada we walked the castle walls of the former bastion of the Knights Templar. Great medieval castle with a secret tunnel, turrets and pageantry. I could imagineLue lisää
Go Your Own Way
2. lokakuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
So I see a Pilgrim today walking down the trail backwards. Perhaps sun stroke ... perhaps just different strokes for different folks. But this peregrino was certainly hiking the Way on his terms.
AndLue lisää
What's in a name?
3. lokakuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
I tried convincing 2 Italian peregrinas that my name was Juan Diego. I said it with gusto and exuberance, and a bit of a bow. They weren't buying it. Eventually when I said my name was Scott, the oneLue lisää
What makes a pilgrim?
4. lokakuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
I still haven't answered that question.
Some would argue that it involves a measure of sacrifice,. There are those who fall in the "no pain, no gain" camp. For others it is walking every mile of theLue lisää
Feliz Cumpleanno
5. lokakuuta 2017, Espanja ⋅ ☀️ 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 CaminoLue lisää






























































































































































MatkaajaYou both look vibrant...if a bit wet. Love you two!
MatkaajaLove your opening words. Feel I am beginning to read an adventure novel.