Not actually Burgos yet but close! I have not long ago arrived in a lovely little town called Redacilla in the area of Castille Y Leon. It was a big day today leaving from Canas where I visited the 12th century Cistercienne Abbey and later went to the twin monasteries of Suso Y Yuso which date from the 6th century. In the monastery at Yuso there were bones of ancients. In the one at Suso , Spanish Castillian language was first recorded by the monks! Tonight is as usual cheap in fact 5 euro for the place not including meals. I will go out shortly to hit the bars for a meal. I really should be more into wine as the area I have just left is La Rioja a wine district and the wine is ... read more

Hola, I am still without the ability to upload a photo so at some point that will change. It was an incredible joy to experience the Eglise at Eunarte yesterday afternoon and overnight. The hosts made every effort to make the stay a incredible expereince. This included a late night vigil in the eglise where we all prayed the same prayer for our repsective and mutal Camino in our own language. Some of us sang and played music in the ancient church which is said to be built by the Knights Templar and protectors of the pilgrims. I have much respect for the way the many people approach their faith on the Camino. It is never assumed that one has the same outlook. Today was a long day on the road in heat. I am thankful ... read more

Buenas Noches! Have just been on a tapas and cerveza crawl around Pamplona for dinner with Susanna from Denmark who is staying here in the Municipal Auberge also and has been walking with a group of us for the past several days. Tonight is 7€ which has been typical of the cost not including dinner or breakfast. Great wine can be had for 3€ a bottle! Today´s walk included a stop by the river Arga for lunch, lamb fettucine and coffee which is why I am carrying the gas cooker. It also rained today for the first time allowing a good use of the wet weather gear. The scenery has been at times boring and at times incredible but always there are fellow pilgrims who light the way which is the most important for me. I ... read more

Buenos noches! Well not quite yet but it's getting closer every day! A week or so ago I received my Pelergrino Credencial (Pilgrim Credential) from the Australian Friends of the Camino and I've mostly stopped going to outdoor shops so the time must be close. Actually I seem to be pilgrim 103 from Australia since the AFOTC started issuing credencials here. With Tassie weather I haven't had much time on the road getting fit but everything is worn in anyway now, sleeping bag and all. My boots are awesome and I even took them to the snow last week where unbelievably they kept my feet "well dry"! Scarpa really are the best I think and mine are a nice light goretex design which should suit the warm weather. I do want to have a go at ... read more

Round 2 of the airfare booking process is nearing completion. It's no trivial matter to leave behind a wife working full-time and two busy kids but it has to be done before the idea of the Camino disappears down the line. Jan 27th 2014 As I sit here reviewing these entries some 16 months after receiving my compostela, my intention is to flesh out some of the memories that made it to this blog and to leave the original text in place because its imperfection is something to be happy with. So anything in italics is new! What was trivial at the time just prior to my camino was that something had to change. That was an absolute certainty because apart from Katherine who has so far been straight-forward to deal with, the rest of the ... read more