The Way of St. James (Walk)

[Doc Holliday]

On the run up to Easter, the BBC were showing a program where a mix of personalities/celebs of one sort or another walked the Camino de Santiago (Pilgrimage: The Road to Santiago) Not being particularly in favour of religion, I have to say that the idea of doing it myself held a certain appeal (not entirely sure why). I have looked in to it a bit and bought a guide book to walking it (published by Ciccerone). I was wondering if anyone has walked it or done something similar and what the drive or reason behind doing it was, how you found it and what, if anything, you found out about yourself. 

[Ricko]

22 minutes ago, Doc Holliday said:

On the run up to Easter, the BBC were showing a program where a mix of personalities/celebs of one sort or another walked the Camino de Santiago (Pilgrimage: The Road to Santiago) Not being particularly in favour of religion, I have to say that the idea of doing it myself held a certain appeal (not entirely sure why). I have looked in to it a bit and bought a guide book to walking it (published by Ciccerone). I was wondering if anyone has walked it or done something similar and what the drive or reason behind doing it was, how you found it and what, if anything, you found out about yourself. 

I'm sure I watched a film about this walk, unfortunately I can't remember the name of it, it may have had Martin Sheen in it.

[Bobba]

My better half has done the camino Santiago de Compostela. She did 250 k across the top of Spain the first time. Has also done the France into Spain section and the Portugal (Oporto) to Santiago. Unfortunately she's in Spain at the moment (no, not walking) so can't pick her brains for you.

What I do know is that a lot of her info and detailed maps and books on the topography of each section were readily available from the specialists which is the "Confraternity of St James" Google it. They have a website, on line shop etc.

HTH

Edited April 14, 2018 by Bobba

[Doc Holliday]

Thank you Bobba ?

[henry d]

Friends are doing it, bit by bit, however there are others closer by to do.

I hoped to do St. Cuthberts way in the borders during a break at college, but for many reasons it didn`t happen, but I would really like to do St. Columbas in the next year or two before I get too old and decrepid, best wishes no matter where you roam

[Munzy]

Have walked the last seven days of the Camino Frances meeting up with a friend who walked the whole route.

A couple of great apps for the Camino which show you the route (although you don’t need them as well signposted) but also the albergues (hostels) and restaurants in upcoming towns so you can plan your stops well. This proved really useful on two occasions when we had planned to stop for the night in the next town but been alerted by the app to the fact the albergue was closed. It avoided us having to sleep under the stars as during winter many albergues are closed so walking through some towns leave you with nowhere to stay.

Was a great experience, we walked in March last year so very quiet in terms of other pilgrims. I would recommend that time of year, from the documentary you mentioned it looked so busy and I can imagine the albergues get very busy, noisy and smelly. We had at most five of us staying on any particular night and that’s with only one albergue open in the town.

Met some really nice and interesting people along the way, a few Spaniards, a Korean, few Irish and a Kiwi. Walking into the cathedral at the end was very emotional because everyone we had seen over the week were present and hugging and kissing each other like long lost friends.

I didn’t do it for any real reason other than spending time with my mate and doing something challenging. I found it humbling  and I must admit I shed a few tears when I rang my wife from Santiago and spoke to the kids. Probably just fatigue but I’ve never missed them so much or felt so lucky to have them.

Would definitely recommend it.

As for the movie mentioned, it’s called “The Way” with Martin Sheen.

[Ricko]

18 hours ago, Munzy said:

As for the movie mentioned, it’s called “The Way” with Martin Sheen.

That's the one I was thinking of!

Quite watchable, definitely if you're going to do the trek!

[Doc Holliday]

On 18/04/2018 at 00:21, Munzy said:

Have walked the last seven days of the Camino Frances meeting up with a friend who walked the whole route.

A couple of great apps for the Camino which show you the route (although you don’t need them as well signposted) but also the albergues (hostels) and restaurants in upcoming towns so you can plan your stops well. This proved really useful on two occasions when we had planned to stop for the night in the next town but been alerted by the app to the fact the albergue was closed. It avoided us having to sleep under the stars as during winter many albergues are closed so walking through some towns leave you with nowhere to stay.

Was a great experience, we walked in March last year so very quiet in terms of other pilgrims. I would recommend that time of year, from the documentary you mentioned it looked so busy and I can imagine the albergues get very busy, noisy and smelly. We had at most five of us staying on any particular night and that’s with only one albergue open in the town.

Met some really nice and interesting people along the way, a few Spaniards, a Korean, few Irish and a Kiwi. Walking into the cathedral at the end was very emotional because everyone we had seen over the week were present and hugging and kissing each other like long lost friends.

I didn’t do it for any real reason other than spending time with my mate and doing something challenging. I found it humbling  and I must admit I shed a few tears when I rang my wife from Santiago and spoke to the kids. Probably just fatigue but I’ve never missed them so much or felt so lucky to have them.

Would definitely recommend it.

As for the movie mentioned, it’s called “The Way” with Martin Sheen.

Thank you very much for that, Munzy. A really interesting post, not least because it sounds like you had no expectations of it but at the end it gave you a sense of the value of what is important to you and close to your heart. 

I would be looking to do it just to see what, if anything, I get out of it. At the very least it would be a bloody good walk.

[Munzy]

2 hours ago, Doc Holliday said:

Thank you very much for that, Munzy. A really interesting post, not least because it sounds like you had no expectations of it but at the end it gave you a sense of the value of what is important to you and close to your heart. 

I would be looking to do it just to see what, if anything, I get out of it. At the very least it would be a bloody good walk.

Yep, exactly how I entered it and I found it very rewarding. Some beautiful scenery, some amazing food and some interesting people. Plus, as you’ve said, if you don’t get any religious or spiritual enlightenment along the way you will almost certainly get a new perspective on nature, family, friendship etc.