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I’m pretty sure I’d go insane. But I’ve got a few days in me yet, I hope.I can’t tell you how impressive it would be if you managed to keep this up to the end.
Thanks Alicia! Hope to cross paths with you soon. Buen Camino!Hello tgg, thank you for sharing your wonderful writing! I think we are walking together, I too departed from Irun on Monday over the high pass and am enjoying a rest day in San Sebastián today. Like you i couldnt resist stopping to enjoy and explore this sparkling city. We are so fortunate with this gorgeous sunshine. Buen Camino! I hope to meet you along the way.
Looking forward to hearing more of your adventure. Buen camino!Day 0
Leaving home for another Camino
For a much longer stint on the trail.
No flight to the jump-off point this time:
I can get to Hendaye via rail.
Plans to get to the station by walking
Were displaced by Parisian rain.
But it’s just a short ride on the metro
So there’s no chance that I’ll miss my train.
My seatmate was constantly coughing
Let’s hope that she just had a flu.
I’m avoiding the plague while I’m walking
But if sick I would have to push through.
There are new conversations with strangers
I’m a pilgrim and people can tell.
It’s not just the backpack and clothing:
I’m wearing a giant white shell!
I started my trek with some downhill
And walked over the bridge into Spain.
Ahead are tomorrow’s big mountains
Draped in what looks a lot like some rain.
I took a short walk to the coastline
Saw the towns and the old parador.
Once a fort, now a fancy hotel there.
Guess the cost for a night? No, add more.
From atop city walls I hear roaring
Not a sport but some games it appears?
All the rules are unclear but the main thing
Seems to be that each must involve copious beer…
I look forward to reading your daily posts!! Thank you for continuing to share. I just left the monastery this morning and just as you said, a magical place to watch and listen to the day come to life.Day 6
I’m back on the terrace for sunrise
Lucas said morning views are divine.
He’s an actor and dancer from Chile
On the Norte for his second time.
He’s not wrong with his tip about dawn here
As the mountains are kissed by sun’s rays.
The valley is verdant and lovely
And the fog will burn off with the day.
We pack up and leave the old cloister
After sharing some monk-given food.
And it’s green and it’s warm as we’re walking
So we’re starting the day in good mood.
Greg is my walking companion
He’s another Australian in Spain.
We’re chatting en route to Guernica
Because there he will get on his train.
We’re just coming around a corner
After hills that are ever so steep.
There’s a cafe there promising coffee
I’m so happy I just about weep.
Lars has his café con leche
And goes straight on to a morning beer.
You can see how it helps to revive him
On his spirits the impact is clear.
In the city we see the museum
And the photos where stories are told.
Today is quite close to that grim date
The bombs fell eighty six years ago.
We get a good steer from a local
For great meals after hiking for miles.
It’s basque-style home cooking in surplus
So we’re ending our day in fine style.
I am now overdue for a rest day
I’ve neglected my body too long.
So I’ll stop in Bilbao for a breather
To ensure I can then soldier on.
Thanks Alicia! So glad you were able to stay at the monastery too. I thought that was a real highlight!I look forward to reading your daily posts!! Thank you for continuing to share. I just left the monastery this morning and just as you said, a magical place to watch and listen to the day come to life.
Thanks Chrissy! Glad you’re enjoying them. And great that you’re able to come back to finish the Norte - with family no less!!Hi tgg,
I too, look forward to the daily posts of your "Norte notes". I have been reading your awesome poems aloud to my hubby and they are giving us both a chuckle.
I have walked the first half of the Norte before turning on to the Primitivo several years ago. I leave for Oviedo in a few days with my son to complete the second half and then continue on to Muxia.
Thank you. A comfortable armchair sounds just the ticket now! Buen Camino for September!Hello tgg,
I am so enjoying your writing as I sip my morning coffee in my very comfortable armchair here in Toronto, Canada. Everything is organized for my upcoming Norte camino in September and I am following you vicariously along the route. Best wishes for your continued succesful walking.
I thought for a second you were offering to ship me your comfortable armchair. (Please throw some timbits in there as well if you do.)Maybe a temp solution for a few days.
Thank you for the closing poetry. Enjoyed your inventive writing.Hi all!
I haven’t posted here for a while but I have still been walking and still been writing. I stopped posting here as the writing became a bit more reflective and so more personal and also because I didn’t want to infringe on the privacy of those that I met and spoke with - including some people who I know read here! (Hi @alicia!)
For henrythedog: I did not write every day. I wrote less after turning onto the Primitivo for some reason. But I made it to Santiago a few days ago and thought I’d share my final instalment.
Day 33
Despite all my photos and doggerel
I’m not sure that this trip can be shared
But I’ll probably speak of it often
To the people about whom I care.
In Galicia the Way is well marked out.
Each signpost makes distances clear.
And the numbers are spiralling downwards
Santiago itself draws us near.
It’s a really unusual feeling
I’m conflicted, if full truth be told:
While a part of me wants to walk onwards
I need rest, as my body feels old.
The territory here seems familiar
Morning fog on the hill hides sun’s rays.
I flash back to the walk with my brother:
To the edge of the world in five days.
My mind strays from the path to my future
As the real world begins to intrude.
And I’m not even done with my walking
So really the world’s being rude.
And what will I take from my travels?
On work, love or life some insights?
Just a mixture of memories and new scars?
For this journey that doesn’t seem right.
For I’ve walked clear across this whole nation.
Laid my head where the monks take their rest.
Crossed along the clifftops on the coastline
Eaten dishes the locals like best.
I’ve watched the sun rise on the beaches
Trod in churches the age of eternity
I’ve walked along walls built by Romans
And joined in a pilgrim fraternity.
I’ve learned a few words of the lingo,
Traced the steps of a warrior king.
Made new friends from a handful of countries.
Are these not the most wondrous things ?
And although I have often walked solo
I’ve never been walking alone.
For the ghosts of my loved ones were with me
Although I tread far from their homes.
So I’ll hold onto the calm from green forests
Bathed in birdsong and dappled sunshine.
Morning fog and soft footfalls on damp earth
Now these moments will always be mine.
After 33 days full of walking
I’ll return to my home and my wife
But I’ll hunger for small yellow arrows
That give me direction in life.
And there’s something that’s ever so freeing
About carrying your world on your back.
Just one foot in front of the other
A simplicity modern life lacks.
And while I’ve not solved life’s conundrums
There’s been time and some space to reflect.
I feel more prepared for my future
Though I don’t know quite what to expect.
But for now I’ll enjoy Santiago
With these friends who are now in my clan.
We’ll see mass at the city’s cathedral
Though there’s much I do not understand
We’ll sit at the bar near the piper
Watching pilgrims on final approach.
You can see raw emotions on faces
As they close on the goal they want most.
There’s old friends from the road in this city
We’ll drink and swap stories as well.
I’ll tour the cathedral’s fine rooftop
And eat well in a fancy hotel.
There are places which still pull me back here.
And patterns I cannot explain.
I’m not saying it’s mystical forces
Maybe something’s got stuck in my brain.
So I’ll sit on my pack near the church there
Watching pilgrims stream in to the square.
Some are sun-kissed and limping and weary
Others look like they don’t have a care.
Then I’ll say my goodbyes to my comrades
Though I‘ll hold them all close in my mind.
Pass some time in the parks of the city
Some last moments of peace there to find.
Soon I’m taking the night bus to Irun
So my travel’s end mirrors its start
I’ll walk back ‘cross the border to France then
With a piece of Spain lodged in my heart.
—-
If you made it this far, thanks for reading and buen camino!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this way. I haven't walked the Camino yet. I hope my husband and I can make it next year.Hi all!
I haven’t posted here for a while but I have still been walking and still been writing. I stopped posting here as the writing became a bit more reflective and so more personal and also because I didn’t want to infringe on the privacy of those that I met and spoke with - including some people who I know read here! (Hi @aliciabwhite !)
For @henrythedog : I did not write every day. I wrote less after turning onto the Primitivo for some reason. But I made it to Santiago a few days ago and thought I’d share my final instalment.
Day 33
Despite all my photos and doggerel
I’m not sure that this trip can be shared
But I’ll probably speak of it often
To the people about whom I care.
In Galicia the Way is well marked out.
Each signpost makes distances clear.
And the numbers are spiralling downwards
Santiago itself draws us near.
It’s a really unusual feeling
I’m conflicted, if full truth be told:
While a part of me wants to walk onwards
I need rest, as my body feels old.
The territory here seems familiar
Morning fog on the hill hides sun’s rays.
I flash back to the walk with my brother:
To the edge of the world in five days.
My mind strays from the path to my future
As the real world begins to intrude.
And I’m not even done with my walking
So really the world’s being rude.
And what will I take from my travels?
On work, love or life some insights?
Just a mixture of memories and new scars?
For this journey that doesn’t seem right.
For I’ve walked clear across this whole nation.
Laid my head where the monks take their rest.
Crossed along the clifftops on the coastline
Eaten dishes the locals like best.
I’ve watched the sun rise on the beaches
Trod in churches the age of eternity
I’ve walked along walls built by Romans
And joined in a pilgrim fraternity.
I’ve learned a few words of the lingo,
Traced the steps of a warrior king.
Made new friends from a handful of countries.
Are these not the most wondrous things ?
And although I have often walked solo
I’ve never been walking alone.
For the ghosts of my loved ones were with me
Although I tread far from their homes.
So I’ll hold onto the calm from green forests
Bathed in birdsong and dappled sunshine.
Morning fog and soft footfalls on damp earth
Now these moments will always be mine.
After 33 days full of walking
I’ll return to my home and my wife
But I’ll hunger for small yellow arrows
That give me direction in life.
And there’s something that’s ever so freeing
About carrying your world on your back.
Just one foot in front of the other
A simplicity modern life lacks.
And while I’ve not solved life’s conundrums
There’s been time and some space to reflect.
I feel more prepared for my future
Though I don’t know quite what to expect.
But for now I’ll enjoy Santiago
With these friends who are now in my clan.
We’ll see mass at the city’s cathedral
Though there’s much I do not understand
We’ll sit at the bar near the piper
Watching pilgrims on final approach.
You can see raw emotions on faces
As they close on the goal they want most.
There’s old friends from the road in this city
We’ll drink and swap stories as well.
I’ll tour the cathedral’s fine rooftop
And eat well in a fancy hotel.
There are places which still pull me back here.
And patterns I cannot explain.
I’m not saying it’s mystical forces
Maybe something’s got stuck in my brain.
So I’ll sit on my pack near the church there
Watching pilgrims stream in to the square.
Some are sun-kissed and limping and weary
Others look like they don’t have a care.
Then I’ll say my goodbyes to my comrades
Though I‘ll hold them all close in my mind.
Pass some time in the parks of the city
Some last moments of peace there to find.
Soon I’m taking the night bus to Irun
So my travel’s end mirrors its start
I’ll walk back ‘cross the border to France then
With a piece of Spain lodged in my heart.
—-
If you made it this far, thanks for reading and buen camino!
I’m sure you’ll love it! Buen Camino !Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this way. I haven't walked the Camino yet. I hope my husband and I can make it next year.
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