Toilets and the Camino

Well this is something I never thought I'd write about.... But apparently finding a toilet is a real concern for some embarking on the Camino Frances. At first, I thought posts on Facebook were made by trolls and had a good giggle. And then the question kept being posted, and hundreds of others commented with their own concerns, so I thought I would put you all at ease and give you the low down. To be honest, I don't recall seeing a public bathroom on the way. I'm sure there were some here and there, but not prolific. Public toilets...

Camino de Santiago

What to Pack for the Camino Frances (September)

"What to pack on the Camino" has to be one of the most frequently asked questions when preparing for the Camino. So don't feel embarrassed if you're at this stage of your journey and struggling with what to pack... because we've all been there. All routes are different, with different levels of pilgrim infrastructure, and hence packing requirements differ between each. So I can only advise you on what I've learned from walking the Camino Frances from St Jean Pied du Port to Santiago de Compostella. When packing, the most crucial thing you need to be aware of is to...

Camino de Santiago,Lessons Learned

Dealing with Burnout on (and off) the Camino

Burnout on the Camino doesn't fit the romantic notion we all contribute to the Camino de Santiago. But many pilgrims do suffer burnout somewhere along the way. We even experience burnout when preparing to go on pilgrimage. And I am very experienced in both. With no set dates, or flights booked, it is really hard to stay motivated to train for a Camino that may or may not happen (even more so now with Covid19). Life is busy - we all know that. And trying to keep up the kilometres while maintaining a full-time job and everything else life throws...

Chemin de Paris,Training

How to train for the Camino?

A common question people ask me when planning their own pilgrimage is: "What did you do to train for the Camino?" My knee jerk reaction has always been something blasé or profound, like... "You won't be ready for the camino until you finish the Camino." Which is a huge cop out, and highly inaccurate... and not just because most of us are completely physically broken by the time we reach Santiago de Compostella and won't be walking anywhere. Prior to my camino, I walked every chance I got, but not nearly enough. Living in London at the time, I walked...

Camino de Santiago,My Camino

I started the Camino de Santiago 7 years ago today

I can't believe it! Today marks seven years since I started the Camino de Santiago from St Jean Pied du Port. There has always been something special about this time of year. And not just because here in Australia, we are being welcomed back into the outdoors to sunshine and spring blooms. There's something else... Leading up to September, I always feel the camino's warm embrace. I start obsessing, reliving, and planning. Not that the camino every really goes away... it's just... the pull is stronger this time of year. It's funny, as yesterday when I was writing my lessons...

Camino de Santiago,Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned on my First Camino

Reflection is a part of every pilgrims day to day. The Camino de Santiago definitely gives you time to reflect on your planning and preparation. What could I do differently next time? If I had this next time... Next time I'll try this alternate route instead... And for the four (or however many) weeks you're on pilgrimage, you are essentially planning you're next camino. When people ask me about my pilgrimage, I often describe it as "the most challenging and rewarding thing I have ever done." But never, as will do. Because as every pilgrim knows, you will do it...

Books & Films,Chemin de Paris

Chemin de Paris Guidebook

Finding a guidebook with maps of the Chemin de Paris route seemed an impossible task. I scoured the internet for maps and books with very little success. Like I mentioned in my previous post, unlike the Le Puy Way, there is very little pilgrim infrastructure on this less travelled route through France. Likewise, there is very little information on the Chemin de Paris, other than a blog post or two with basic descriptions here and there. It was time to wrangle help from the masses, so I reached out in one of the many Camino de Santiago Facebook groups. Here,...

Chemin de Paris

Bonjour fellow pilgrims!

And here it begins, my journey on the Chemin de Paris (via Orléans). In 2013, by chance, I stumbled across the Camino de Santiago. Just over a year later I was stumbling into Santiago de Compostella after walking the 775km from St Jean Pied du Port. If you've been on pilgrimage, you will know it is only just the beginning, the growth and change continues every single day. Some call it an obsession, I like to think of it more as a way of life, one that you will never let go of. That brings us to today, almost 7...