Hi folks,
As my final Camino I decided to try and replicate a medieval pilgrim's journey returning home to Scotland from Santiago.
I had already walked and cycled the Camino 6 times on different routes and at varying times of year
I began walking from Santiago in October, 2015 but, due to tragic and compelling family circumstances, had to stop walking at Sarria and immediately fly home. I was unable to return to Spain but carried on with dedicated walking days through the Scottish Winter and Spring to complete an equivalent distance.
On 4th May 2016 I flew to Biarritz and began walking north on a dedicated cycle/walking route known as "La Velodyssee" which runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. To make life easier for myself I decided A. to camp every night, B. push my rucksack, tent etc. on an all-terrain baby buggy and to C. live on a wonder food which is a powder added to water.
The weather in France did its best to make me feel at home as rainy days became almost the norm. I spent one day tent bound by a thunder storm but only had one night when water penetrated the inner tent - interesting. Another interesting encounter was with two armed gendarmes who evicted me from a wee patch of grass beside a beach -"camping is forbidden" And I had to walk another 5km on top of the 26km already walked that day.
The baby buggy made light of the journey and my wonder food filled all of my dietary needs without needing to carry a stove or spend a fortune in restaurants. The manufacturers even managed to re-stock me mid journey for the princely sum, for carriage,of £5. Thank you HUEL.
Biting insects were a nuisance (I was wearing my kilt) but a spray - BUG SOOTHER - took away the itch and,when I remembered to spray myself before leaving the tent, kept the little darlings at bay.
During the journey I had the pleasure of spending time with 3 different shell carriers heading south and many short chats with former pilgrims met enroute.
By the time I reached the Loire estuary I had been beaten low by the weather and fatigue and pulled into a wee campsite which proved to be my last. It was a 'party' site and sleep was hard to come by and I decided to finish walking there. When I emerged from my tent in the early morning in a very grumpy mood I found a till receipt attached to my tent. On the reverse was written "Buen Camino - from a former pilgrim". Bless you who ever you are, you made an auld man very happy.
My electronic on-board toys showed that I walked 998km but I'm sure the night walks to the sanitaire made that up to a round 1000km.
The medieval Scots were not on the best of terms with the folk who live between France and Scotland so probably missed that bit out and travelled by sea. I will begin the final leg of my Journey in September at the river Tweed, which is the border, finishing in the ruined cathedral in St.Andrews where I will scatter the mortal remains of my Sister and Son-in-Law who have been travelling with me on my LONG WALK HOME.
As my final Camino I decided to try and replicate a medieval pilgrim's journey returning home to Scotland from Santiago.
I had already walked and cycled the Camino 6 times on different routes and at varying times of year
I began walking from Santiago in October, 2015 but, due to tragic and compelling family circumstances, had to stop walking at Sarria and immediately fly home. I was unable to return to Spain but carried on with dedicated walking days through the Scottish Winter and Spring to complete an equivalent distance.
On 4th May 2016 I flew to Biarritz and began walking north on a dedicated cycle/walking route known as "La Velodyssee" which runs parallel to the Atlantic Ocean. To make life easier for myself I decided A. to camp every night, B. push my rucksack, tent etc. on an all-terrain baby buggy and to C. live on a wonder food which is a powder added to water.
The weather in France did its best to make me feel at home as rainy days became almost the norm. I spent one day tent bound by a thunder storm but only had one night when water penetrated the inner tent - interesting. Another interesting encounter was with two armed gendarmes who evicted me from a wee patch of grass beside a beach -"camping is forbidden" And I had to walk another 5km on top of the 26km already walked that day.
The baby buggy made light of the journey and my wonder food filled all of my dietary needs without needing to carry a stove or spend a fortune in restaurants. The manufacturers even managed to re-stock me mid journey for the princely sum, for carriage,of £5. Thank you HUEL.
Biting insects were a nuisance (I was wearing my kilt) but a spray - BUG SOOTHER - took away the itch and,when I remembered to spray myself before leaving the tent, kept the little darlings at bay.
During the journey I had the pleasure of spending time with 3 different shell carriers heading south and many short chats with former pilgrims met enroute.
By the time I reached the Loire estuary I had been beaten low by the weather and fatigue and pulled into a wee campsite which proved to be my last. It was a 'party' site and sleep was hard to come by and I decided to finish walking there. When I emerged from my tent in the early morning in a very grumpy mood I found a till receipt attached to my tent. On the reverse was written "Buen Camino - from a former pilgrim". Bless you who ever you are, you made an auld man very happy.
My electronic on-board toys showed that I walked 998km but I'm sure the night walks to the sanitaire made that up to a round 1000km.
The medieval Scots were not on the best of terms with the folk who live between France and Scotland so probably missed that bit out and travelled by sea. I will begin the final leg of my Journey in September at the river Tweed, which is the border, finishing in the ruined cathedral in St.Andrews where I will scatter the mortal remains of my Sister and Son-in-Law who have been travelling with me on my LONG WALK HOME.
