Starting your Camino Ingles in England

[NualaOC]

I noticed an interesting point in the current CSJ e-newsletter: Pilgrims following the Camino Inglés have a problem. If you start at the most historic and best attested starting point pretty well of the whole camino, in the city of La Coruña, there are not enough kilometres to qualify for a Compostela. Pilgrims therefore are encouraged to start at Ferrol and thus walk just over 100km. The Pilgrim Office at Santiago however, has agreed that pilgrims who walk in England as part of their Camino, may count the kilometres towards their 100km. This may be in Cornwall on the St Michael’s Way or Saints’ Way, through southern England on the Pilgrims Way to Canterbury, on the St James Way from Reading to Southampton or Portsmouth. You would need to obtain a stamp or equivalent at your starting point and it would be good to have a stamp at either end of your journey onwards to Spain. If stamps are not available, one suggestion is to cut a logo from a church or council document and stick it on to the Pilgrim Credencial or passport, date it and ask someone to sign it!

Maybe most English pilgrim know this already - but I thought it was worth sharing.

 

[rometimed]

I did it from Ferrol and it was quite a nice quiet walk. Never saw more than 2 other pilgrims in Albergues and only saw about 10 others total over the 4 days.

 

[anna pugh]

Starting my walk from Ferrol next week. Hadn't thought about getting a stamp here. I wonder if the shrine at Walsingham would have one?

 

[Bradypus]

Starting my walk from Ferrol next week. Hadn't thought about getting a stamp here. I wonder if the shrine at Walsingham would have one?

Walsingham to Santiago via Ferrol. That sounds like an interesting idea. Must put that one on the to-do list

Enjoy your camino! I walked the Ingles last year and loved it.

PS: Last time I was in Walsingham it had the Anglican shrine, the RC shrine, the parish church, the RC church, the Methodist church and at least one Orthodox church. You could probably fill half your credencial before you leave Norfolk

 

[anna pugh]

I'm really nervous as I've never done anything like this.

 

[miguel_gp]

Hi Anna, the Ingles is a beautiful walk and well way-marked. I'm sure you will enjoy your way to Santiago.
Buen Camino.

 

[Bradypus]

I'm really nervous as I've never done anything like this.

The Ingles should be a great introduction. Short enough to have the destination not too far ahead in the mind. The route is well marked. The countryside is beautiful and varied - seashore, forest, hills and farmland. It is not nearly as busy as the Frances but there will be others walking along the way. Local people are used to pilgrims and generally very friendly and helpful. Feeling a little anxious before doing something like this is normal. If you have any specific worries or questions someone on here will probably be able to help. I'm sure that you will find it a great experience. Then probably want to come back for more.

 

[NualaOC]

I'm really nervous as I've never done anything like this.

Good luck Anna. As @Bradypus said, it's totally normal to feel a bit nervous. I hope that you have a great experience and a few rain-free days!

 

[Bradypus]

I hope that you have a great experience and a few rain-free days!

A good point there. Unless we have been to the north and west coasts we Brits tend to think of Spain as being a hot and dry country. Don't believe the song from "My Fair Lady". Rex Harrison was a liar: the rain in Spain falls mainly in the top-left corner. Lots of it! Do pack your wet weather gear.

 

[TerryB]

I noticed an interesting point in the current CSJ e-newsletter: Pilgrims following the Camino Inglés have a problem. If you start at the most historic and best attested starting point pretty well of the whole camino, in the city of La Coruña, there are not enough kilometres to qualify for a Compostela. Pilgrims therefore are encouraged to start at Ferrol and thus walk just over 100km. The Pilgrim Office at Santiago however, has agreed that pilgrims who walk in England as part of their Camino, may count the kilometres towards their 100km. This may be in Cornwall on the St Michael’s Way or Saints’ Way, through southern England on the Pilgrims Way to Canterbury, on the St James Way from Reading to Southampton or Portsmouth. You would need to obtain a stamp or equivalent at your starting point and it would be good to have a stamp at either end of your journey onwards to Spain. If stamps are not available, one suggestion is to cut a logo from a church or council document and stick it on to the Pilgrim Credencial or passport, date it and ask someone to sign it!

Maybe most English pilgrim know this already - but I thought it was worth sharing.

If you do need a stamp (sello) in the U.K. I have found that the local Post Office is helpful, if you explain what you need and why. Most U.K. pubs have some sort of a stamp, as do gift shops and "historic monuments" (National Trust and English Heritage). One of my prized ones is that of the Abbot of Buckfast where I stayed on my way from Exeter to take ship in Plymouth! A little bit of imagination can usually find the necessary.

Blessings
Tio Tel

 

[NualaOC]

A good point there. Unless we have been to the north and west coasts we Brits tend to think of Spain as being a hot and dry country. Don't believe the song from "My Fair Lady". Rex Harrison was a liar: the rain in Spain falls mainly in the top-left corner. Lots of it! Do pack your wet weather gear.

I had one day of incessant rain on the Ingles, but it didn't dampen my enthusiasm for this route. When I commented on the rain in a text message to my sons, they took great pleasure in reminding me what I used to tell them when they were kids: 'you're not made of sugar, you won't melt'

 

[Dennis M]

Well said about Camino Ingles. Short and sweet hills walk. Good Camino introduction. You'll never be disappointed with route.

Buen Camino