Paul_L
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francés Feb-April (2015)
Camino Francés March-April (2020)
Hi all,
I know that this has been discussed elsewhere, I more wanted to explain myself for not returning to the forum post camino. I received much support and advice before heading off, and we completed our camino with the family (2 adults and 5 children, 2-15 years old, now 3-16!) in April this year (on Good Friday to be more precise).
It was an awesome experience, and like many others I felt such a let down at the end I didn't really want to return to the forum. I felt so flat on arriving in Santiago. One of my daughters felt very much the same as I did. We had planned on staying the night at the Monte de Gozo campgrounds/albergue and to do the short walk in the following morning, but we were walking with our mini camino family and pushed on the last few kilometres to arrive in Santiago on the same day. The problem was that neither of us (my daughter or myself) had mentally prepared to 'finish' (I know we will never 'finish' the camino, I'm referring to the physical walking process at that time). On the wooden bridge over the highway, she just burst out in tears (and I hugged her with a tear or two welling up). The rest of the family were fine, they were looking forward to a couple of days rest and exploring Santiago, getting the Compostelas and so forth. We just weren't quite ready.
Anyway, that's a couple of months ago now, and we are applying the common medicine that I've read on here and discuss our future (ambiguous for now) camino (somewhere to Santiago, by some form of transport - foot, or foot/bike from further, sometime). It's a sweet tonic that is working for now.
I wanted to express my deep gratitude to the camino members who encouraged us either directly or indirectly. We were blessed many times on the way and before leaving. I'd like to share a short video we have made of my son across many locations. Enjoy!
I know that this has been discussed elsewhere, I more wanted to explain myself for not returning to the forum post camino. I received much support and advice before heading off, and we completed our camino with the family (2 adults and 5 children, 2-15 years old, now 3-16!) in April this year (on Good Friday to be more precise).
It was an awesome experience, and like many others I felt such a let down at the end I didn't really want to return to the forum. I felt so flat on arriving in Santiago. One of my daughters felt very much the same as I did. We had planned on staying the night at the Monte de Gozo campgrounds/albergue and to do the short walk in the following morning, but we were walking with our mini camino family and pushed on the last few kilometres to arrive in Santiago on the same day. The problem was that neither of us (my daughter or myself) had mentally prepared to 'finish' (I know we will never 'finish' the camino, I'm referring to the physical walking process at that time). On the wooden bridge over the highway, she just burst out in tears (and I hugged her with a tear or two welling up). The rest of the family were fine, they were looking forward to a couple of days rest and exploring Santiago, getting the Compostelas and so forth. We just weren't quite ready.
Anyway, that's a couple of months ago now, and we are applying the common medicine that I've read on here and discuss our future (ambiguous for now) camino (somewhere to Santiago, by some form of transport - foot, or foot/bike from further, sometime). It's a sweet tonic that is working for now.
I wanted to express my deep gratitude to the camino members who encouraged us either directly or indirectly. We were blessed many times on the way and before leaving. I'd like to share a short video we have made of my son across many locations. Enjoy!