Not the Camino, but...

[Birdielein]

Hi everyone!

I am not walking the Camino this year- I am walking the 450kms of the WWI western front through France and Belgium in september!- but a friend of mine just did the camino and said this was an amazing resource! (Am also thinking of Caminoing next year!!!)

But my route takes me on some of the pilgrim trails, and for me, as a military historian, it is sort of my pilgrimage!

I have been using this site for support and knowledge, and thought I would introduce myself. I also thought that this would be a place where I could find support, as most of my family think that walking 450kms is batsh!t insane.

I hope a pilgrim of a slightly different kind is welcome!

 

[colinPeter]

Hello Birdielein,
Welcome to the forum.

I hope a pilgrim of a slightly different kind is welcome!

I'm sure many would be interested in your journeys.
Colin

 

[Birdielein]

Thanks!

 

[Al the optimist]

As you will have already discovered some members have walked other trails around the world. Ivar's hope is to create an environment in which everyone gives freely of their experiences (and fears) to help and encourage others in an open and considerate way. Many have been helping him to achieve this for many years. The result is a resource which would help anyone regardless of where they are walking. We all have one thing in common whether we are pilgrims or walkers - walking! So enjoy!

 

[Peronel]

My longterm plan is to walk from Bury St Edmunds to Santiago. This will mean walking through Flanders. So any information you can share on this area would be helpful.

 

[mspath]

Hi Birdielein!

Other Forum members share your interests in walking through the WWI battlefields of Northern Europe. Be sure to check out the wonderful blog accounts by fellow member Bob M from Australia who often cites useful sources. For example see this.

I, too, read military history and one account that I have particularly enjoyed is Back to the Front by Stephen O'Shea. The author walked the trenches of Northern France and Flanders following the route of his grandfather's Canadian division.

As you know this year marks the hundredth anniversary of the start of WWI so much is planned throughout Northern Europe for commemoration; you will NOT be along on your planned battlefield walks!

Happy tramping!

Margaret Meredith

 

[gerardcarey]

my route takes me on some of the pilgrim trails, and for me, as a military historian, it is sort of my pilgrimage!
I hope a pilgrim of a slightly different kind is welcome!

Of course you are welcome! decidedly so.
We could do with a military historian!
After all, didn't Hannibal and his elephants and army cross the Pyrenees?
And what about Pompey and his legions who established Pamplona?
And Charlemagne and Roland and their travails in the Basque country.
And didn't Richard the Lionheart rampage thru the area?
And what route do we follow across the Pyrenees?
The Route Napoleon.

Welcome, welcome.
Regards
Gerard