Camino de Santiago is the name of any of the pilgrimage routes, known as pilgrim ways, to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. Pilgrims (peregrino) have walked these ways for over 1,000 years, following the simple scallop shell signs, and often with a Pilgrim's staff. The pathways are very popular with modern walkers - Martin Sheen starred in The Way, a movie … [Read more...]
Walking the Camino – what shoes will I wear?
If you are thinking of tackling the Camino there are many points consider, and the most important is your feet. The biggest problem that stops hikers in their tracks is sore feet, ranging from blister, pressure points, tight calve muscles. Before starting each day, prepare your feet, if you have any pressure points attend to them immediately. It is also advisable to visit a chiropodist the week prior to your departure. During the past 23 years … [Read more...]
Women on the Camino de Santiago
Guest Post by Jane V. Blanchard who is author of Women of the Way Embracing the Camino. You can purchase the book on Amazon or the e-book . To view the book trailer or purchase an autographed copy, visit Woman of the Way 2011 Twitter Facebook Fan Page Facebook Author's page Email Pinterest I am a 62-year-old modern-day pilgrim. In 2011, I and approximately 300,000 people trekked a network of ancient pilgrimage routes leading to … [Read more...]
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, North West), is placed where the "Camino de Santiago" ends This post is one in a series about Espana provided by Lesbianas Viajeras, a Spain based company specialising in travel in Spain and beyond especially for lesbians. Tours to Spain for all Women Accommodation in Spain for Women Travellers More Women Travel blogs about Spain … [Read more...]
Slow Walk Across Spain – walking the pilgrim trail of Camino de Santiago
Karen Manwaring writes of her journey across Spain walking the Camino de Santiago - the Pilgrims Way, and of the book she published to help others on the journey Karen’s website is www.caminocalling.com ‘Camino’ is Spanish for ‘way’ or ‘path’ and ‘Santiago’ translates from the Spanish as ‘Saint’ (Sant) ‘James’ (Iago). There are many Caminos de Santiago - pilgrimage routes that begin in France, Italy, Belgium, England and beyond. Some are … [Read more...]
Strangely moved – the last day to Santiago
It should have been a short and relatively easy day, but my leg was swollen and painful, so I walked slowly with a strange flat footed gait. Rosemary had lent me her walking stick which had been useful for threatening dogs and crossing muddy streams, but now came into its own as a support. The quiet woods and shady lanes of the past few days gave way to new towns and building sites, with road works and new tarseal obscuring the Way. After going … [Read more...]
Don’t panic too soon – day three on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela
Ponte Sampaio to San Antoninio 23 kms. Today Danielle joined me for a pretty walk through the tiny steep streets and old Roman roads of the villages, through vineyards and small holdings, to the beautiful city of Pontevedra. We called in at our Lady of the Camino sanctuary,the Shrine of the Virgin Peregrina, again full of beautiful flowers. When the churches are open, they look as though as wedding is about to happen. My afternoon was solo … [Read more...]
Signs come when you need them – day two of the Camino de Santiago
Ceridwyn writes: Each day, I started where I left off, usually by a wayside marker, with a bright yellow scallop shell pointing its rays in the direction i needed to go. The number of km is also on the marker. It was so great to see it drop from 115km t0 99 to 83 and down to 49- over half way. The markers have been erected by the Spanish government and are such a welcome sight. … [Read more...]
Support crew on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela
This week Danielle and I are support crew for Ceridwyn who is going to walk the pilgrim's trail from Portugal to Santiago - a distance of 115 kms over six days. We have booked a beautiful stone cottage in a rural area - Casa do Curralino which is near the village of Morana, close to Pontevedra and Caldas de Reis and the N550 road which the pilgrims trail very roughly follows. Lovely English hosts, a luxurious tiled bath, perfectly renovated, … [Read more...]
