Not a Camino camino

[Former member 49149]

While there are many ways to Santiago, the walk I have planned beginning next weekend is in Ireland. it does not lead to Santiago. Or maybe it does... My focus will be on reflection and retreat, and what I learned from two of my previous Caminos will guide me: one step at a time, and BE WHERE YOU ARE.
It is not convenient for me to go to Spain, so I planned these six or seven days walking along a canal and a river, with the clear aim of being conscious of Pilgrimage.
It is my belief that wherever we are, there is where we can find our Camino. There are some who look on, and dream of the day... but the day is now, the way is within...
I share this although it is not about a Camino to Santiago, but it is about pilgrimage, and for those who cannot plan a ‘real’ Camino’, you can be a pilgrim wherever you are.

 

[Deleted member 39850]

What you write is very true, Kirkie... and so for the 4 years since my first Camino I have learned to walk many many places close to me. For my 50th birthday, I walked 19km in the early winter (though the first snowfall of the season) to the very lovely spa resort my husband had booked for us to stay in that night. How funny it was to them when I arrived!
I regularly walk to different small villages inside a 20km circle, and walk back inside of a day. I have found new nature areas and so...
But I feel a terrible emptiness, a need to really *vacate* my usual routine... so I'm taking 3 weeks this year to go from somewhere near Sahagún to Santiago... maybe to Finisterre.
And I'm hopeful that after *that* I will be more content to stick around home....
But it's true.... we can walk without a sello chase.

 

[Ellerine]

“Be where you are”, that’s great advice @kirkie! I hope you enjoy your ‘not a camino’ camino.

Ellie

 

[nycwalking]

Sounds wonderful.

Buen camino.

 

[VNwalking]

Beautiful, @kirkie !
Who cares about the details of geography - that sounds like a camino to me.
Buen Camino...pictures later, please, after you are back...
(And...it's totally possible to have that 'camino feeling' in places other than Spain - so to spend the entire year longing to go someplace else in order to be completely present in the here and now misses the point. The question is how to be here, here - and to find that simplicity and presence and open-heartedness with each other, here? My daily camino de la vida...and definitely work in progress...)

 

[kelleymac]

I am traveling with my older son to Northern Ireland in September, before traveling on to Oxford. My heart and thoughts keep straying towards the camino-- but I know I won't have time to get down to Spain or France. --I have walked at least part of the camino every year for the past three years, this year, I won't be able to. I am hoping to walk the Giants Causeway Walk (33 miles) in Northern Ireland and somehow make that into a camino, I looked at St. Patrick's Way (85 miles), but it is my son's first time in Ireland, and he wants to see the big sites, not the quiet ones seen when walking. --- I seem to have lost my camino connection lately, my heart doesn't know which way to turn. I think I need to start walking to mass again (8 miles), but the housework and responsibilities here always somehow take priority.

 

[Annette london]

While there are many ways to Santiago, the walk I have planned beginning next weekend is in Ireland. it does not lead to Santiago. Or maybe it does... My focus will be on reflection and retreat, and what I learned from two of my previous Caminos will guide me: one step at a time, and BE WHERE YOU ARE.
It is not convenient for me to go to Spain, so I planned these six or seven days walking along a canal and a river, with the clear aim of being conscious of Pilgrimage.
It is my belief that wherever we are, there is where we can find our Camino. There are some who look on, and dream of the day... but the day is now, the way is within...
I share this although it is not about a Camino to Santiago, but it is about pilgrimage, and for those who cannot plan a ‘real’ Camino’, you can be a pilgrim wherever you are.

Hi Kirkie,
Wise words indeed
Buen Camino
Annette

 

[Former member 49149]

I am traveling with my older son to Northern Ireland in September, before traveling on to Oxford. My heart and thoughts keep straying towards the camino-- but I know I won't have time to get down to Spain or France. --I have walked at least part of the camino every year for the past three years, this year, I won't be able to. I am hoping to walk the Giants Causeway Walk (33 miles) in Northern Ireland and somehow make that into a camino, I looked at St. Patrick's Way (85 miles), but it is my son's first time in Ireland, and he wants to see the big sites, not the quiet ones seen when walking. --- I seem to have lost my camino connection lately, my heart doesn't know which way to turn. I think I need to start walking to mass again (8 miles), but the housework and responsibilities here always somehow take priority.

It looks wonder-ful! I have only driven that way, apart from the actual visit to the Causeway. You will be able to ‘touch’ Spain when you read the memorial to the wreck of La Girona...

 

[JohnMcM]

While there are many ways to Santiago, the walk I have planned beginning next weekend is in Ireland. it does not lead to Santiago. Or maybe it does... My focus will be on reflection and retreat, and what I learned from two of my previous Caminos will guide me: one step at a time, and BE WHERE YOU ARE.
It is not convenient for me to go to Spain, so I planned these six or seven days walking along a canal and a river, with the clear aim of being conscious of Pilgrimage.
It is my belief that wherever we are, there is where we can find our Camino. There are some who look on, and dream of the day... but the day is now, the way is within...
I share this although it is not about a Camino to Santiago, but it is about pilgrimage, and for those who cannot plan a ‘real’ Camino’, you can be a pilgrim wherever you are.

Kirkle,
Would you please consider posting your planned route and stopping places. I enjoy riverside walking a lot, a whole lot.
Buen(happy, not a recognised)Camino

 

[kelleymac]

It looks wonder-ful! I have only driven that way, apart from the actual visit to the Causeway. You will be able to ‘touch’ Spain when you read the memorial to the wreck of La Girona...

Where are you walking in Ireland?

 

[Former member 49149]

Kirkle,
Would you please consider posting your planned route and stopping places. I enjoy riverside walking a lot, a whole lot.
Buen(happy, not a recognised)Camino

John, the plan is to begin in Robertstown and follow the Grand Canal to Monasterevin, and from there to swan along (!) down the River Barrow to St Mullins. You can actually begin walking at Grand Canal Dock and walk back through the city to meet Robertstown and choose whether to continue along the Canal or branch off down the Barrow Way. Google will fill you in on details, but I will also pm you later with my own daily plan.

 

[Former member 49149]

Where are you walking in Ireland?

A section of the Grand Canal, and then branching down from Monasterevin in County Kildare to County Carlow, along the Barrow River, ending in St. Mullins.

 

[LGLG]

Whether to Santiago, or elsewhere, intent is everything.

 

[yaying]

@kirkie from with in...

I never been for such long walk, but indeed in life.
it takes a lot to have the intent in focus while your passing on a bit long & different way.

 

[JohnMcM]

John, the plan is to begin in Robertstown and follow the Grand Canal to Monasterevin, and from there to swan along (!) down the River Barrow to St Mullins. You can actually begin walking at Grand Canal Dock and walk back through the city to meet Robertstown and choose whether to continue along the Canal or branch off down the Barrow Way. Google will fill you in on details, but I will also pm you later with my own daily plan.

Thanks Kirkie,
Much appreciated.
Swan along I see what you did there.
I'll be goggling at Google later.

 

[GettingThere]

John, the plan is to begin in Robertstown and follow the Grand Canal to Monasterevin, and from there to swan along (!) down the River Barrow to St Mullins. You can actually begin walking at Grand Canal Dock and walk back through the city to meet Robertstown and choose whether to continue along the Canal or branch off down the Barrow Way. Google will fill you in on details, but I will also pm you later with my own daily plan.

Sounds beautiful, Kirkie. Have a wonderful walk - definitely sounds like a Camino to me!

Buen Camino!

 

[Priscilla NC]

[QUOTE="kirkie, post: 641441, member: 49149"
It is my belief that wherever we are, there is where we can find our Camino. There are some who look on, and dream of the day... but the day is now, the way is within...
I share this although it is not about a Camino to Santiago, but it is about pilgrimage, and for those who cannot plan a ‘real’ Camino’, you can be a pilgrim wherever you are.[/QUOTE]

I love this, Kirkie! My 2016 Camino has led me to a much larger pilgrimage, though not back to Spain (I'm planning to remedy that Spring 2019).

My pilgrimage has led me to a monastery where I'm living (and working) for a year. And almost every day, I remind myself that each day here is a camino too.

Thanks so much for your post, and may it be a wonderful and enriching pilgrimage for you.

 

[thefarmbetween]

Hi Kirkie,
I just finished a pilgrimage across Ireland that was an amazing and spiritually fulfilling experience! I walked from Croagh Patrick to Dublin visiting sacred sites (pre-Christian, Celtic Christian, and Catholic) along the way. I used way marked trails and back roads. It took 15 days. Some of the sites that helped set my path were Croagh Patrick, The Boheh Stone, Ballintubber Abbey, Knock, Clonmacnoise and I then followed the Grand Canal into Dublin, ending at Saint James Church. The sites, solitude, scenery, hospitality and friendliness were beyond beautiful. My own Celtic Camino. I agree that creating your own Camino with the intent of reflection and retreat can be satisfying wherever you are or wherever you want to go! -Best wishes and buen camino, John.

 

[Former member 49149]

Hi Kirkie,
I just finished a pilgrimage across Ireland that was an amazing and spiritually fulfilling experience! I walked from Croagh Patrick to Dublin visiting sacred sites (pre-Christian, Celtic Christian, and Catholic) along the way. I used way marked trails and back roads. It took 15 days. Some of the sites that helped set my path were Croagh Patrick, The Boheh Stone, Ballintubber Abbey, Knock, Clonmacnoise and I then followed the Grand Canal into Dublin, ending at Saint James Church. The sites, solitude, scenery, hospitality and friendliness were beyond beautiful. My own Celtic Camino. I agree that creating your own Camino with the intent of reflection and retreat can be satisfying wherever you are or wherever you want to go! -Best wishes and buen camino, John.

John, this is so good to see. And by the way, you were unusually blessed in the weather!!! Are you still around? It sure you would be lovely to meet up and chat about it... may it always be with you.

 

[VNwalking]

May you be blessed with more of that gorgeous weather, @kirkie. Happy contemplation.

 

[thefarmbetween]

I was prepared for two weeks of rain and there was none! I was blessed by the weather, but I felt badly for the farmers I met that were enduring the drought. I am back home in Vermont now. You could see my pictures on my facebook page - John Patrick Hayden if you would like. I feel like a more formalized Celtic Camino could be an economic boon to the middle of the country where there were lots of closed pubs and other businesses. I especially loved my times on the bog!

 

[Maureen Walton]

I walked the Camino from Sarria to Santiago in June 2016 and really want to get back to Spain to do the full Camino Frances. But in the meantime other opportunities have occurred in my life.
I finished a pilgrimage in South Africa in early June this year. I was one of a group of 10 people who walked 250 km over 12 days. Each day we walked in silence for the first 2 hours so that you could be alone with your thoughts and nature. It was a beautiful time for introspection and reflection. It was very physical at times with steep uphills and downhills. We saw quite a bit of wildlife along the way - different types of buck, zebra, emus, and many baboons. We walked alongside a support vehicle for 5km in an area where there were rhino. The 10 strangers who started out became friends for life. We slept on floors in a rural school and between the pews of a little church that had no electricity and had only one toilet. We were welcomed at farmhouses that were in quite remote areas. The hospitality that we received from these farmers was so special to us all. The scenery was sometimes harsh and dry, but extremely beautiful. We walked over a mountain pass where the road consisted of boulders; we rested on a steep path which was marked on our map as "puff adder alley" (a puff adder is a feared venomous snake in South Africa). All in all it was a wonderful experience. Next year I want to walk the next stage which is about 300km. Buen Camino!!

 

[Former member 49149]

I was prepared for two weeks of rain and there was none! I was blessed by the weather, but I felt badly for the farmers I met that were enduring the drought. I am back home in Vermont now. You could see my pictures on my facebook page - John Patrick Hayden if you would like. I feel like a more formalized Celtic Camino could be an economic boon to the middle of the country where there were lots of closed pubs and other businesses. I especially loved my times on the bog!

John Patrick, thanks for the link, but I closed my facebook page a good while ago and I am still alive! I do not want to go near it in case it senses me hovering! Glad you had a good time.

 

[Former member 49149]

I walked the Camino from Sarria to Santiago in June 2016 and really want to get back to Spain to do the full Camino Frances. But in the meantime other opportunities have occurred in my life.
I finished a pilgrimage in South Africa in early June this year. I was one of a group of 10 people who walked 250 km over 12 days. Each day we walked in silence for the first 2 hours so that you could be alone with your thoughts and nature. It was a beautiful time for introspection and reflection. It was very physical at times with steep uphills and downhills. We saw quite a bit of wildlife along the way - different types of buck, zebra, emus, and many baboons. We walked alongside a support vehicle for 5km in an area where there were rhino. The 10 strangers who started out became friends for life. We slept on floors in a rural school and between the pews of a little church that had no electricity and had only one toilet. We were welcomed at farmhouses that were in quite remote areas. The hospitality that we received from these farmers was so special to us all. The scenery was sometimes harsh and dry, but extremely beautiful. We walked over a mountain pass where the road consisted of boulders; we rested on a steep path which was marked on our map as "puff adder alley" (a puff adder is a feared venomous snake in South Africa). All in all it was a wonderful experience. Next year I want to walk the next stage which is about 300km. Buen Camino!!

Maureen that sounds wonderful. A forum member from South Africa was telling me about a pilgrimage they were setting up... maybe it was that one? Anyway, looks like you have caught a bug!

 

[Former member 49149]

Today, packing. Tomorrow, beginning the walk. Key item: a reflection from another forum member, @jjinwi: gratitude, willpower, rejuvenation. That motif has imprinted itself in my consciousness as a daily framework. While the route I have planned is not a pilgrim route, it is an accessible one for people with an intention of being on camino, albeit flat, flat, flat! So, see you all when I get back in a week or so. I attach a link to the route for anyone interested but we will take 6 days..

 

[VNwalking]

Buen Camino and happy walking, @kirkie!
May you have fair weather and a wind behind your back, and shade when there is too much sun.
Gratitude, willpower, rejuvenation...a lovely theme for any and every camino...