Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Introducing my new Blog
Valerie and I are now getting ready for other adventures. If you would like to read of our continuing walks and training, in preparation for next year's proposed visit to the Camino del Norte, you can see my new Blog at http://trainingforpilgrimage.blogspot.com/ or simply click on the title above.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Exeter Cathedral to Santiago de Compostela
My walk from Exeter to Compostela has raised nearly £1,200 for Farm Crisis Network, as well as being a time of Pilgrimage. Thank you again for all your prayers and support as well as the generous donations to FCN
Leaving Exeter, 21st April 2009
Arriving in Santiago 28th May 2009
The photographs and early reflections on my Pilgrimage are below, as well as the original blog posts.
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Camino Photographs and Reflections
The photos run from the beginning of Terry's Pilgrimage through to his arrival in Santiago (May 28th) and visit to Finisterre (June 1st). The blog then runs from that point backwards - to his first entry when making his preparations.
'First Reflections on my Pilgrimage' can be found below
'Reflections Along the Coast' is at the post for 2nd July.
'Further Reflections on my Pilgrimage' is at the post for Monday 22nd June.
We left Santander on 4th June, arriving in Plymouth and then home on the 5th.
You can read more about the Pilgrimage at the Camino de Santiago forum
'First Reflections on my Pilgrimage' can be found below
'Reflections Along the Coast' is at the post for 2nd July.
'Further Reflections on my Pilgrimage' is at the post for Monday 22nd June.
We left Santander on 4th June, arriving in Plymouth and then home on the 5th.
You can read more about the Pilgrimage at the Camino de Santiago forum
Monday, 6 July 2009
First Reflections on my Pilgrimage
After 411.6 miles, 38 days on “The Way” and 32 different beds, I arrived in Santiago de Compostela on Thursday 28th May, two days earlier than planned. The feeling of walking into the plaza in front of the cathedral is impossible to describe! Mixed emotions of joy, triumph and, strangely, a certain feeling of sadness were all there and it was hard to hold back tears. I have brought back, along with the memories, over 500 digital photos which I have been busy sorting through and labelling. These are going up a few at a time as and when Valerie is able.
Did the Pilgrimage meet up with my expectations? Yes! and way beyond anything that I could have anticipated. Was it hard? Yes at times, but nowhere did I feel like giving up, even when walking in the pouring rain over the 'Puerto del Palo' - Alt. 1,140 mts and shrouded in mist!. Did I ever feel afraid? No, not once! I was alone for much of the time, and walking alone through remote areas I never had ‘the grues’. The only time I looked over my shoulder was when I saw the huge paw print, the size of my hand, on the track. Wolf? Bear? Great Dane? No, after asking some locals later, apparently it was a Porcupine!!
One great joy for me was the ability to talk to people in their own language. (There’s a sermon there somewhere!). Being able to walk into a cafe-bar and ask the way. Stop at the side of the road and talk to the local farmers about the weather / cattle / T.B. test. Even being asked to translate for a group of Germans who only spoke German and English! All this meant that I was close to people and their way of life.
So, it is a time to reflect and also a time to say ‘Thank-you’. The first thank-you is to my wife Valerie, she not only let me go, she gave me positive support and encouragement! Without her I would not even have considered it possible. Thanks also to friends here in England and further afield who have prayed for me over the past weeks. That prayer support was the reason for my inner calmness and the constant assurance of God’s presence.
Thanks to all those who have given a donation to the Farm Crisis Network. When all the promises are in, my hope of raising £500 will easily be met.
Finally, I want to put on record the kindness and help that I have received from the Spanish people themselves. I have been a sojourner in a foreign land, and from stepping off the ferry on the 27th April to driving back across Spain with Valerie and a friend, I have been treated with respect and courtesy. Nothing was too much for them to do and without the help of dozens of unknown people my pilgrimage would not have been so marvellous. Thank you all!
Did the Pilgrimage meet up with my expectations? Yes! and way beyond anything that I could have anticipated. Was it hard? Yes at times, but nowhere did I feel like giving up, even when walking in the pouring rain over the 'Puerto del Palo' - Alt. 1,140 mts and shrouded in mist!. Did I ever feel afraid? No, not once! I was alone for much of the time, and walking alone through remote areas I never had ‘the grues’. The only time I looked over my shoulder was when I saw the huge paw print, the size of my hand, on the track. Wolf? Bear? Great Dane? No, after asking some locals later, apparently it was a Porcupine!!
One great joy for me was the ability to talk to people in their own language. (There’s a sermon there somewhere!). Being able to walk into a cafe-bar and ask the way. Stop at the side of the road and talk to the local farmers about the weather / cattle / T.B. test. Even being asked to translate for a group of Germans who only spoke German and English! All this meant that I was close to people and their way of life.
So, it is a time to reflect and also a time to say ‘Thank-you’. The first thank-you is to my wife Valerie, she not only let me go, she gave me positive support and encouragement! Without her I would not even have considered it possible. Thanks also to friends here in England and further afield who have prayed for me over the past weeks. That prayer support was the reason for my inner calmness and the constant assurance of God’s presence.
Thanks to all those who have given a donation to the Farm Crisis Network. When all the promises are in, my hope of raising £500 will easily be met.
Finally, I want to put on record the kindness and help that I have received from the Spanish people themselves. I have been a sojourner in a foreign land, and from stepping off the ferry on the 27th April to driving back across Spain with Valerie and a friend, I have been treated with respect and courtesy. Nothing was too much for them to do and without the help of dozens of unknown people my pilgrimage would not have been so marvellous. Thank you all!
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Photos: Santander - April 27th 2009
Having arrived in Santander in the sunshine, on April 27th, I walked to Boo de Piélagos in the afternoon.
Photos: Santander to Boo de Piélagos
Out of Santander the Way passes through Peña Castillo. The first Waymark was just along the road. In late April the Picos de Europa still had a good covering of snow. The view from the albergue window in Boo
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Pilgrimage Reflections
As I walked I was looking at the countryside and the farming. So many problems faced by farmers everywhere! I have been given sponsorship money for my Walk and, with Gift Aid, will have raised about £1,000 for Farm Crisis Network.
The Just Giving site directly related to my pilgrimage will close shortly, but you can still give to FCN if you wish through Just Giving - Farm Crisis Network.
The Just Giving site directly related to my pilgrimage will close shortly, but you can still give to FCN if you wish through Just Giving - Farm Crisis Network.
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