Pensioners 'rule' OK?

[Rev Anthony]

From Rev Anthony. Good evening dear friends of the Camino. I have been badgered left right and centre by a huge dose of synchronicity (Meaningful coincidence) I was in the Ardeche region of France 3 weeks ago and the owner of the 'Gite' had the 'Camino' sticker on his vehicle. On the way home, I stopped at an airbnb near Rueon and the owner was planning the 'walk' for next April. My Saturday 'Daily Telegraph' carried a 2 page article on the Camino etc etc So now at 75 I need to do it. I will attempt the 'short' Sarria Camino, probably next April. I have a replacement left knee and titanium shin bone. The right knee is a bit 'wonky' but I just HAVE to try otherwise I will never get any rest from the 'influx' of 'Synchronicity' Bless you all.

 

[Pellicano Solitudinis]

"A coincidence is a small miracle in which God chooses to remain anonymous."

 

[Rev Anthony]

"A coincidence is a small miracle in which God chooses to remain anonymous."

What a wonderful definition of 'Coincidence' Thank you very much indeed.

 

[Ekelund]

Rev Anthony, let me be the first one to offer you a "Buen Camino"
All the best to you, may you have a wonderful Camino.

 

[pelerine]

Bon courage as they say where I live! Buen camino and keep us posted!

 

[mmmmartin]

Believe me, pilgrims far older than you have done it right from st Jean. Pilgrims with well dodgy hips and knees have done it. You are several years younger than many pilgrims to whom I issued a compostela when I was volunteering in the pilgrim office recently. Why not start from st Jean, use the ubiquitous walking poles, take it easy and see how far you get before you get tired of it? And when you are tired, have a day or two off. Then restart if you want to. Or maybe go home for a few weeks, returning when you want to start again. Some people take years to do a Camino, I've seen credentias completed over several years. Best wishes.

 

[nycwalking]

Mabel, a 92 year-old woman just completed SJPP to Santiago.

Enjoy your short camino.

May they lead to longer ones, if you wish.

Buen camino.

 

[Colette Z]

From Rev Anthony. Good evening dear friends of the Camino. I have been badgered left right and centre by a huge dose of synchronicity (Meaningful coincidence) I was in the Ardeche region of France 3 weeks ago and the owner of the 'Gite' had the 'Camino' sticker on his vehicle. On the way home, I stopped at an airbnb near Rueon and the owner was planning the 'walk' for next April. My Saturday 'Daily Telegraph' carried a 2 page article on the Camino etc etc So now at 75 I need to do it. I will attempt the 'short' Sarria Camino, probably next April. I have a replacement left knee and titanium shin bone. The right knee is a bit 'wonky' but I just HAVE to try otherwise I will never get any rest from the 'influx' of 'Synchronicity' Bless you all.

The Camino is calling you loud and clear!

 

[t2andreo]

You have been chosen. Do the most you can to ensure you are healthy and in condition to do this long walk.

The Camino provides, and we also hold that Santiago works in strange ways. So, I recommend you just go with the flow.

 

[AlwynWellington]

@Rev Anthony , kia ora (greetings, good health)

Given your insights came from some time in France, you could do two things that connect well with the coincidences you experienced there.

Firstly, start from Le Puy-en-Velay (about 2 hours west of Lyon by local train). You would be following in the footsteps of Bishop Godesalco of that place who started around 1,100 years ago and is credited with the first publication of a pilgrimage.

Secondly, take relatively short hops. For example, I met many French and Swiss nationals walking for 1 or 2 weeks from their annual leave.These might be for or five days walking. This way there is no obvious pressure to make a big achievement of reaching Compostela on your attempt.

I was 74 when I started and nearly 76 on reaching Compostela 18 months later [my blog (below) explains]
And I had 4 years training before starting.

To build up my stamina (both body and head) I worked up to:
a) achieving 15 km before stopping for breakfast
b) achieving 400 m of elevation gain before ...

I strongly suggest you start from Le Puy cathedral after the 7 am sending out Eucharist.
And I equally strongly suggest you don't have to walk every metre if your internal supports might be compromised. I understand the British way of doing long distance walks is for a team of at least two, you and a driver. The driver's task would include taking you past sections challenging for conditions. A first suggestion is you walk to the outskirts of Le Puy and then get driven to Sauges. From there to Nasbinal is relatively plain sailing. Of interest to me on that way was a chapel at a cross roads that was open with the book of readings open at those for the day. Again, from Nasbinal be driven to Sainte-Come-d'Olt. After Livinhac-le-Haut the route is probably easier for walking with a condition.

So, @Rev Anthony , kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)

 

[Stivandrer]

This mission, should you choose to accept it, will become self evident to you, even if it turns out to be no miracle or coincidence...

 

[AlwynWellington]

@Rev Anthony

I also strongly suggest you consider walking / trekking poles as these may, literally, take some weight off your feet / ankles / whatever.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Coincidences link us to the Unknown and weave us into It.
Doug Dillon

You may not realise it yet but you’ve already taken your first steps upon your first Camino.

Walk on!