Walking the Way of Saint James
People continue to take the Pilgrim trail and can be instantly identified by the pilgrim staff and the symbol of the scallop shell. The shell is the traditional symbol of the pilgrimage because the grooves in the shell, which come together at a single point, represent the various routes that pilgrims travel, all eventually arriving at a single destination at Santiago de Compostela. It is also symbolic of the pilgrim because just as the waves of the ocean wash scallop shells up on the shores of Galicia, God’s hand also guides the pilgrims to their final destination.
I have been giving some thought to perhaps tackling the Camino myself one day and have been looking at the various different routes. I have to say that I may have a preference for the one that starts in Plymouth in the UK because that would seem to include rather a nice cruise on a P&O ferry across the Bay of Biscay and an evening in the duty free bar followed by a just short stroll from A Coruña to Santiago de Compostela.
Sir Walter Raleigh wrote:
Give me my scallop shell of quiet;
My staff of faith to walk upon;
My scrip of joy, immortal diet;
My bottle of salvation;
My gown of glory (hope’s true gage);
And then I’ll take my pilgrimage.
It’s a nice enough walk, Andrew. I enjoyed the bit between Pamplona and Logrono anyway. And it is inspiring to see those who really are excited about their achievement.
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We plan to do it in a couple of years time when Kim doesn’t have to go to work any more! Alternatively do it in two week chunks but I don’t know if that is in the rules?
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I’ve been fascinated with pilgrimages but my poor feet won’t take the beating. Here’s a blog I read about the Camino earlier this year. You might find some interesting tips.
http://magwood.me/ (The Trepidatious Traveller)
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Thanks for the link!
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Hope you enjoy it.
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https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=walking+boots+for+bad+feet&tbm=shop
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Thank you, Andrew. 😀 😀
I bought special walking shoes before my trip but it seems my feet are older than I am. 😀
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They look rather haggard, those first two, Andrew. I think they’ve overdone it! 🙂 Yours sounds like a good way to be a pilgrim to me. Are you sure it’s not cheating? 🙂
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Just bending the rules!
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So you won’t be expecting a badge at the end of it? 🙂
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Your route sounds the most pleasurable Andrew. We cycled alongside part of the northern route when in Spain.
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