Viranani - Thank you for helping make my point my point! In early April, you experienced rain, snow (slush) and cold weather. You KNOW what it is like to be so cold that you start to develop hypothermia! Another convinced pilgrim. But, I sense from your experience, that this is not the first time.
Also, thank you for saying prayers of remembrance at Philip's tree just before Moratinos. Rebekah planted the tree, and and the two of us installed the memorial plaque in May 2014. I plan to stop there, halfway on my Camino from Madrid, towards the end of this month. I too, wish to pay my respects to Phil and his memory.
FYI - for all of you who did not know Philip Wren, he was a Methodist minster from a town near Liverpool, England. His user name on the Forum was "MethodistPilgrim98" if I recall correctly. Anyway, Phil was compelled to give up active ministry due to serious medical problems.
In his forced retirement and never-ending search for self-realization, fulfillment and as his continuing ministry, Phil walked segments of the Camino 11 times, up to and including his passing on 1 May 2013. His 2013 trip was the completion of his third full Camino, done in segments as his health, time and finances permitted. Phil had at least one critical health problem that, in the end, was the proximate cause of his passing. A special Mass was dedicated solely to Phil at the Cathedral in Santiago when word of his passing reached there.
I walked portions of this final Camino with Phil, for about a week out of St. Jean Pied de Port. I was on my first Camino. We met at the family-style dinner at Orisson the first night out. This is another reason why Orisson is so special to me. In the week I knew him, he taught me a lot about the Camino, it's culture, history, and the sociology of pilgrims. We were from different countries, cultures (sort of) and political leanings. But, I like to think he stoked the fire I continue to have for the Camino.
Phil worked assiduously for the Confraternity of St. James (CSJ) in the UK and was part of their "Speaker's Bureau." He would travel to give presentations to anyone who would listen to his accounts of the Camino. During the week we walked together, I helped him capture video recordings, especially of nature along the route. Among other things, I would hold his outrageously bright orange poncho aside so the wind would not ruffle it and make noise as he was filming.
In particular, I recall him telling me that the sound of the wind rustling through the tall winter wheat he was filming west of Puente de Reina, was to him the sound of God in nature. That was a very profound statement at the time. These recordings were intended for his future presentations for the CSJ. They were found with his belongings and returned to his family.
We walked into Logrono together on 30 April 2013, I to my reserved bed, and Phil to the municipal albergue. I distinctly remember Phil telling me "...this is where my Camino ends..." as we exchanged parting words and went our separate ways. At the time he said it, he was referring to the fact that he also told me that the following day, he was taking a bus to the coast, then a ferry back to the UK . But, to this day, I cannot help wondering if his statement was prophetic. Phil went to sleep that evening, and did not wake up.
The next morning, fellow pilgrims discovered him deceased, in his bunk. I learned of this about a week later walking out of Burgos. I like to think that, while no one enjoys the thought of their passing, Philip departed at a time and place of his preference. How profound is that?
The memorial tree near Moratinos is a result of Phil's lasting impact on the Forum, and the Camino writ large. A group of us from the Forum donated funds to obtain the tree and the memorial plaque. Rebekah was kind enough to coordinate things and obtain permission from a local farmer to plant the tree together with the nearby plaque.
I shall always remember him. As an FYI, Phil's Memorial Tree is located about half a Km BEFORE Moratinos, on the right side of the cinder trail you walk into "town." There is a small plaque at the base of the tree. if you pass the large, white, rectangular building that is on the left, you went a little too far...I mean, it's a tree. There is no neon sign identifying it. You need to know it is there...
Here is Phil walking through the beech grove in the Pyrenees during that week we walked together, photo by Stuart. I was not nearby when the shot was taken, but Stuart kindly sent it to me afterwards.
Buen Camino y'all...
Out the window of Albergue Mercadoiro this morning.
