1,300 miles

It’s true I walked around 1,300 miles.

Some say:

“Wow you're amazing, how do you do it”

Whilst walking all those miles, a thoughtkept popping into my head. I had a choice to walk and a place to stay, whether that was going to be in my tent or somewhere else, I knew I would generally be safe and warm, that I had money in my pocket and if all went drastically wrong that I had some sort of back up not to far away. “I had a choice”

“For those who have no choice, No money, No backup of safety, the homeless, the ones that feel the cold and hunger of the day and night,  the one’s who flee their countries for their lives, the one’s in refugee camps, the ones who walk thousands of kilometres with the fear that follows like a shadow that can’t be shaken who perhaps are treated like criminals once in refugee camps that we are not fully aware of, It is those people who are amazing” it is those people i'd ask you to think about whilst you read my story. “I am a person with a back up, they are people who have no backup, no comfort, and have much fear that follows their footsteps.

In this blog I will write  a little about my walk, and a story that takes me back to a few years ago, finishing of with with a write up  about my Reiki healing.

Walking is addictive:

I did not plan to keep on walking after Santiago but something just told me to keep going to the place the Romans called the end of the world, to that place called Fisterra that sits on the tip of the North Atlantic ocean in Spain, a place where I felt great energy, a place that captured me for a few day’s. A energy that was hard to walk away from, I did not even say goodbye to the people I met there in that time, I do not know why, I just had to go in that moment in time when night broke into day. The night before I watched that sunset behind where time was suppose to end, then I was gone without a whisper in the wind.

Where togo:

I wanted to make my way to Portugal to follow the sun, the weather had turned in the north where I had been feeling the cold.  I was told I had to go back to Santiago to find a route to Portugal, that was not my style and the last thing I wanted to do was  back track, So I started to walk the wild Spanish coastline hugging its shores as I headed south towards the warmer lands that called out to me, to the land that again held a different language to what I knew, a country that would test my communication skills that I look forward to. A place different from the rest,  that in the past it's countrymen had greatly sailed the seas that brought news of new found lands and riches from this apparent flat world that the Roman empire named the end of the world.

The coastal villages that I passed through whilst still in the far north of Spain were so tranquil at that time of year, the weather a little over cast from day to day that held a slight breeze and brought some rain, the sun was beaming its rays of warmth  that captured the raindrops as they fell gently to the floor lighting them up like miniature rainbows, as if gifts from the sky, I found myself looking up at this marvelous big grey patchy sunny sky whilst collecting these droplets on my face as time drifted gently by, wandering in the array of that magnificent sky where the atmosphere merged together creating pictures before my eyes, as if a artist were up there painting amongst that sky hiding from my little brown eyes.

The ocean colour blue and beautiful, the sand untouched from tourist footprints that crunched heavily underfoot when walked on, shells of all types and sizes scattered the beaches in great numbers. As I walked along I found myself looking out over that great ocean, my name being called by it’s voice that the waves carried into shore, calling me, calling me to step into her icy water,  I finally gave  in to her cries and I strip off entering that great Atlantic ocean, it was like a knife cutting into my skin but I just had to do it, once past the fragile point of no return the rest was a little easier, diving head first to cover the rest of my naked body.

I shivered for a good 10min after I came out of that icy ocean clumsily fumbling for my cloths to warm my body, the chatter of my teeth sounded like some London hi- tec orchestra whilst I struggled to find happiness  from my encounter of that big blue beautiful, icy Atlantic sea that in that time had truly called out to me, her voices now silent in that place of shivery.

The hill’s

Spain: From a town called Noia to Pontecesures I had decided to cut cross country up over the hill’s that were around 600m in height.  I worked out a route and got underway, leaving the town of Noia behind me heading up into the hills felt good. I got stopped by a lady who was concerned for me, she asked me where I was going, that foreigners don’t come this way, and that I should turn back and head for Santiago as I would get lost in these hill’s, what would happened if I got hurt, how would I raise the alarm. But I told her I was going and that was that, thanking her for her worries  trying to reassure her that I would be fine.

Flashback Africa:

Whilst walking in those hill’s I had a flashback from Africa that would not leave me alone. There are a few stories to tell about that place, but here I write one for you.

I was traveling a country called Lesotho in Africa. Where I had hitchhiked to a mountain range that was off the beaten trail, it took me two days to get to them from where I was in Lesotho, it was on the spur of the moment which is the way I like to work whilst on the road.  The roads that I had traveled on to get there were merely dirt tracks, the people I met curious in many ways as a westerner does not travel those parts,  the scenery was outstanding, deep valleys and gorgeous, high mountains and roaring thunderous rivers from below, people of the land working as they have done for hundreds of years, the people untouched by western life and un distorted by technology. “That was a great adventure”

When I arrived at my final destination it was getting dark, I managed to stay at someone's house after they got talking to me, the light from the day had now faded, I went with them where I stayed that night. We spoke of my plan and I could see they worried for my sanity and safety. I showed them my basic map that covered the whole of Lesotho where they gave me some good tips of where to go in the future, but I had no fixed plan for the coming weeks or months.

The next morning I got going after they made sure I had been well feed and gave me 3 days  food supplies. My plan was to do a day’s trek, stay out that night and return the following day.

I set off into these breathtaking mountain where I past through some gorgeous valley’s that had fields of wildflowers that I had never seen before, I sat for a while breathing in there many fragrances that filled that air where mountains seemed to trap it’s sence, it was so enchanting to be there and hard to leave. I had been walking for most of the day when I stumbled across an army patrol of eight Lesotho soldiers, as I tried to pass them they stopped me and questioned who I was, they asked me for my passport that was nothing unusual, Then they asked to look inside my bergan.  I then knew exactly what they were after, they were going to give me a hard time for sure. I questioned there request that did not go down to well backing down rapidly, I had to start to think pretty fast as I could see my valuables possibly disappearing into their hands. I knew that the Lesotho army was not as well equipped compared to their neighbouring country, South Africa, so with some quick thinking I pulled out my map and started to try and break the ice with  conservation in hope to steer them away from my belongings.

My plan worked and soon all eight of them were huddled around me as I spread out my $2 map of their country. Pointing to to a point where we were “knowing that I was well of the area to where we were actually standing” They laughed at me and pointed me back to where we were, my plan was working and I laughed with them “Ice broken” they told me that I was not to far from the Lesotho-South Africa border. They told me that about 15 kilometers from our position was a South African military outpost  where I could  get stamped back into the country. “Sounded like a better adventure than what I was already on” It would also mean I would not have to hitch back the way I came from.

Direction:

They gave me direction to where I was to head to, pointing out a mountain in the distance, so I said my goodbyes rapidly, but not before they confiscated my map, it was not much use to me any way. I had a good sense of direction and just had to keep heading South until I reached the line of control. That night I set up camp under the stars knowing I only had around 8 kilometres left for the next day before the checkpoint.

Baboons:

the next morning I got under way, I found myself climbing up over a hill where around 100m in front of me the ground flattened out into a plato, there were around 60 baboons with their young in front,  I was downwind of them and they had not seen or heard me. This was not good, they were right in my path  where I had to go. If I startled them or divided the young from the group accidentally the alpha males could turn and attack where my life would of been lost, I was unfamiliar with baboons behaviour, I had no experience with baboons before so I was very unsure what I should do. I lay down and watched for a moment to see what direction they were heading in, they seemed to be feeding whilst moving away slowly from were I was so I gave them a few minutes then picked up a few stones and knocked them together that caught their attention, then I shoutted out aloud and they moved on pretty fast with the alpha males trailing behind the group keeping an eye on my position. I finally stood up and showed myself and with this they moved away faster. It was a testing time.

The border: Not long after I made it to the very daunting border that had a line of barbed wire and razor wire, the fence broken in many parts for as far as the eye could see.  I picked up a trail that lead me to the S.A outpost where I managed to get stamped back in after a few more questions, I managed to hitch a ride on the back on a army truck to the main road, I loved my time spent in Africa such a great journey.

I have written a great deal to this week’s blog, but bringing you back to the hills between Noia to Pontecesures in Spain: I made it across safely, after some days I made it to Lisbon by walking all the way, with some brilliant stories to tell for the future.

Total 1,300 miles more or less.

Reiki healing:

On this journey here in Spain and Portugal I managed to channel Reiki healing throughout this trip to various people, some contacted me for distant healing and other’s who had various walking injuries that I met along the way that was a great success. There are more stories on my facebook page “Reiki’d craft about this ancient healing technique  that is strongly coming back to light, The NHS and doctors from around the world are now recommending this to patients in certain circumstances,  they admit that they are unable to make scientific sense of this energy healing tecnec, but are now opening up slowly to this. I think modern medicine is great and a real life saver, but every little bit helps. Reiki healing dose greatly speed up healing in many fields of sickness and grieving.

Feel free to contact me for any information or questions about Reiki healing, or travel and I will do my best to help.

Feel free to leave  anonymous feedback if you wish.

Thanks.

The end to a epic journey "voices of the night"

Santiago; - Was to be my final destination of travel, after being away for so long from what many call home, it was truly time to call it a day.  I had been preparing for my return over the duration of the Camino setting my mind straight as best I could to deal with such a change in life, I thought so much about everything, it just felt like the right move. Many of my friends had told me to to return and some of my family members thought it was a good idea too, those voices  started to haunt me in my thought’s.

One morning over coffee and much thought, I switched on my phone and connected to my data that hooked me to that invisible signal of today’s youth, I bit my lip and brought the plane ticket two weeks prior to arriving in Santiago for a great price that I could not resist of £40. For my return I had made the decision to keep my head down for a number of weeks once back in the country so that I could easy myself into the lifestyle that awaited for me in that now golden autumn corner of the world that many mistake as a miserable time of year, where leafs fall to the ground in array of spectacular colours and the ground sparkles from the hard frosts that crunches underfoot, rain droplets freeze in the cold like crystals hanging from a chandelier.

As I searched online and found that price ticket that would end this amazing journey, I punched my details into the system and entered my credit card details, I took a few deep breaths, questioned my sanity,  hit the button “Confirm” As I felt my finger touch that ending option, visions of this trip  flickered past my eyes as if it was the end of my life, It took me back to where I had left my life in April 2016, It took me to the person who I was when I left, and who I was now, what I had learnt along the way, the paths I had followed since my departure, nodding my head as the transaction got past through the wormhole of today's interaction.

I sat there for awhile in silent at what I had just done, “Was this my choice or the choice of voices that echoed in the night that gave me restlessness night's. It was the right thing to do I told myself, people are right it’s been to long and I am getting older, too old for this crazy life style as some had indicated. I felt lost and yet happy that I had now made my plan that I was guided to, I would soon be seeing and surprising many people.

I had reminisced on so much whilst walking the  Camino about my journey, about the U.K friends and family members,  the people that I had meet, and the many adventures that I had found myself on whilst away, the dangerous situations that I came across and got myself out of, I had yet again been very lucky, again pushing the boundaries where possible, I had meet so many great people along  the way, remembering their kindness and generosity to a stranger they never knew, many of them invited me into their homes and lives, they feed and cared for me well, always asking me to stay longer and caring much for my welfare as I was very much on my own, how they spoke about their ways of life, how they taught me the ways of their land, how we became friends with in a very short time, they put their trust in me, and how I put my trust in them, Sometimes venturing into dwellings where many would not go, I just had to hope someone was looking down on me from above whilst laughing to myself saying  “Ops here we go again”

“Memories held close”

There is so much to write about this trip and others that I have walked upon over the many years of my traveling career, and yes it truly spins me out whilst writing and reminiscing, I have learnt so much about myself, constantly moving forward in life, this time  around I have got to know myself extremely well once again in this life that I have been gifted to walk upon as a free spirit that many recognize me as and love me for.

Making that decision to return back to the U.K had been a truly hard process to make, if only you could've seen how much I battled with myself over such a move in life, many sleepless night’s, questioning much, it was the right decision I kept repeating to myself. My mates not all, had influence in my return for sure. Like I mentioned many of them told me it was time to come back,  that I needed to recharge, I could sense their worry towards my life. They told me much about what I needed to do, I listened greatly as these people have known me for many years, I respect, Love and appreciate their views and friendship greatly. One mate sent me a link about how travel is not always the right path for happiness, I didn't really read it all I got bored of it and come to the conclusion that it was a crap read. I did picked up on his hidden message that he felt I needed to look closer to what he called home for a type of happiness that he believed I searched for. “Had I been unhappy in my travels I asked myself” I guess they could see something that I could not.  It’s interesting to be reminded and told what to do from time to time by friends and family from afar as they see things from a different side, a more stable normal side of life that they each seem to have “What is a stable life I asked”

Santiago:

Rocking up in Santiago, having coffee, phoning my parents, holding back my news, collecting my certificate, sitting watching people, thinking about friends and family, visualizing surprising people, the journey, the life style, memories, holding the air ticket in my hand. I was set and ready, 24 hours to go it was done.

The last day…

That day in Santiago something significant happened to me, I stopped and thought to myself what the hell am I doing, “I am happy”  People are wrong, I had been getting inundated by people's thoughts and opinions. It had been so confusing, listening to distant souls and not my true self. At times I had found myself unable to relax because of this, getting distracted from what I was happy in doing “My traveling career”

A different life, a life that many have not experienced. For me it is a true education, an education that was crafted specifically for my soul, gaining Spiritual insight, Wisdom, Love, empathy, self discovery, self confidence, a education that taught me a different side away from the system, an education that taught me how to help others,how to care for Mother Gaia as she cares for me, how to Survive in this beautiful world I call home.

It was now truly time for a shutdown away from the voices who distracted me from my happiness “The voice of the night”

I pulled out my flight itinerary from my well traveled rucksack, looked down at that official piece of paper, smiled, and set fire to it with joy. Watching as the last bit of small print to that official deceleration smoldered to the end of my fingers, rubbing the ashes into the palm of my hands as if I had just carried out a Shamanic ceremony. I looked back around to my bag where a few seconds of thought was lost, grabbed my kit and hit the road once again, knowing that what I had just done was the right move, I had truly listened to myself and now had no one else to blame for my decision if it came tumbling in around me.

“Voices are dangerous live your life”

Shaun Freebody.

Day 23 Via de la Plata

I finished the Via de la plata on day 23 averaging 45 km per day, arriving at Santiago early on a Sunday morning witnessing the other pilgrim's drifting into Santiago where all the caminos meet in the city square outside the Cathedral of St James.

I sat there for a while with my boot’s kicked off to one side, my rucksack sat behind me whilst I lay back on to it watching the pilgrim's souls as their epic journey came to an end, or where a epic journey was now in full flow. Many limped into the square from where blisters had occurred whilst walking, others carried injuries from sprained ankles or pulled muscles from around various parts of their bodies. Perhaps struggling a little  but finding the willpower to carry on for whatever reason they had that invoked them to carry out such a call to one's life.

There was a great deal of mixed emotions in that square and around, some came in with a tear or two, others laughing smiling,hugging, dancing. Some bewildered and lost. Others seemed to have clarity of life that shone bright in their eyes.  It was a very interesting time watching all these random souls young and old come to this sacred spot of Christianity where many had found their answer to life or perhaps just a piece of jigsaw that may of been missing for many years. Whatever their reasons, it was a great experience to be part of that.

La Plata:

After Zamora, North of Salamanca, you have to make a choice – whether to continue on the Via de la Plata in the same northerly direction to Astorga, and then to join up with the Camino Francés to continue to Santiago, or to go directly to Santiago along a route known as the Galician variant or the Camino Sanbrés which turns to the north-west and goes through Ourense to Santiago. Both routes are around 1,000 km in length. However I have heard joining up to the Camino Frances is more scenic that I don't know.

I found myself more interested in branching North-West because it is a more quieter route and less trodden, I found the countryside once again but was soon following roads from time to time, with the rush of traffic whizzing past me and the honk of air horns in a show of support to the quest of the camino. I found this pretty amusing so I started giving each lorry driver a dance routine as they came closer that kept me occupied whilst laughing to myself. I would dance on the spot like a little lunatic in hope for a honk,honk, as they zoomed past leaving me in a spray of grit and dust, wishing I had body arma for the hail of plastic bottles, beer cans and other human waist that I wish not to describe being thrown up from the verticals vapour trail, that left me searching for the light once again in my march to religion where I had decided to be baptised once again in the holy bath of wisdom and light.

I remember in my much younger days I was baptized where I struggled to hold my breath as I was dunked in the holy water. I thought to myself whilst surrounded in that mystical source that they must of mistaken me for a witch as they held me down a fair while as I gulped down bucket loads of this magical stuff.  I am sure social services would have something to say about it in today's modern health and safety rules and regulations. “Still I'm sure the vicar got a good tip out of it.

Then the good old Guardia civil came chugging down the road, I love and respect them so much so I gave them my best funky chicken dance  combined with a famous move from  Michael Jackson  that I questioned after I had done it, visualizing myself in a cell for the night followed by a batten to the back of the legs, but to my amazement a got a honk "Phew what no handcuffs and dominatrix"

The Caminos.

Unfortunately all the caminos do take you along a lot of roads, this is unavoidable in today's world. And the Camino dose mean “road” so over the years some parts of  the actual pilgrim routes have been made into main roads for today's modern transport. But the good news is not all the roads are big and bad, there is a lot that are beautifully quiet.

“Don't leave home thinking you will be inpowered and surrounded by forest all day long because you will be greatly disappointed do your homework or just go”

The caminos throughout Europe takes you through some breathtaking scenery and history that throws you back in time, a great deal of the villages you pass through are extremely rich in  historic history, many thing’s will capture your mind and interests to life. You will meet many people with many stories, some stories will make you cry others laugh. And more may give you inspiration to your own life. You will find yourself,and lose yourself, after a while you will feel each pebble underfoot and question your sanity in that moment, trying not to focus on how many kilometres are left in the day, or left to reach Santiago, you will question how heavy your pack is having your mind ask why you brought the “just in case kit” You may very well meet friends for life, and friends on the day you wish to lose very quickly. The wine you taste will be cheap but tasty and extremely up market. But then I don't play games with my drink seeing how many times I can swish it round my glass, then using it as some hi-tec mouthwash.

If drinking in between routes you may find yourself later a sleep perched up against a oak tree with the sun on your face, may be your wake with a cow's tongue in your ear if you're lucky, or an angry farmer shouting  “Get off my land you dirty smelly pilgrim and take your socks and your posh whizard like Staff with you”

Perhaps your life would of changed on your journey where you will not be going back to the shadows that you came from, or decided not to go back ever. You may fall in love with the person of your dreams, you may also fall out of love with the person who you thought was your dream. Whatever happens the camino will work you, and this journey will be one that will never leave your soul, it will capture you in many ways that is guaranteed.

The accommodation: If you are using the Albergues. Be prepared for little sleep, snoring talking, bright lights on at odd times, smelly feet, smelly people, minimal privacy,  great company, bad company. 50 Alarm clocks waking you up as dawn approaches, or perhaps still in the middle of the night for the night walkers who set of at 0:00 hours. You will go crazy at times, you will love it, you will hate it, and if you have not encountered this before just be aware of it. “spend money on extremely good ear plugs. And be prepared  “zero privacy 1 hour sleep that way you will not be in shock” I could tell you more but this is the basic survival guide for you on today's blog.

There are many good and bad points about the camino, for me to say go or not to go would be wrong for me to do so, this is a journey for you to decide everyone is different in life and only you truly hold the key.

Belive in yourselves.

Day 16 of the Via de la Plata:

Day 16 of the Via de la Plata:

The first week on the Camino South of Salamanca was very hot, once 11:00am came the temperatures started becoming a little unbearable in some cases. I found myself continuing whilst the sun increased in temperature I was drinking around 4 liters of water during the day to keep hydrated, carrying the water was the hardest part for me as it is always the heaviest, I would carry 2 and resupply where I could. I enjoyed walking through the heat of the day seeing the areas that I past through in complete silence, Passing through the towns and villages in the area of Extremadura at siesta time felt like apocalyps had hit the earth, with the odd dog barking, leaves that had fallen from the tree’s symbolizing the the start of autumn, golden coloured leaves dancing in the wind like a miniature tornado, around and around with no place to go, it was a bizarre feeling passing those places that seemed so empty and still. In some parts of Extremadura you walk kilometers without passing through any settlement it was great to be walking along in those conditions taking in the beauty of the region where wind carried this stillness of apocalypse.

“silence is a powerful  tool”

One guy died on the Camino last year 2016, just outside a village called Castilblanco de los Arroyos. He was a 46 years old man, the guy had been walking in temperatures of 46 degrees and I guess his time was up, a very sad story, I came across his memorial halfway up  a hill, I wondered about his life and loved ones, what his life might of been like, his character, who he was, and who he left behind,perhaps empty without him. His number was up and that was that, bless his soul, a strange moment past me in that time,a sense of loss, a emptiness came into my thoughts and feelings with no direction to life.

“Heavy but what I write is what I experience some have asked me, take me on your journey, create a blog!  so I write for you”

I have been hearing a few stories lately of people who have pushed their boundaries and have suffered for it. Taking a few rest days and popping along to the doctors with different injuries. Like I said in my last post, “it’s a walk” But to push yourself or to go ill prepared then that is your choice.

I walked 50km one day because I ran into an area where it was just  field after field. The crops had been harvested, so I was faced with plowed fields. In the summer months it would be a lot different having the sunset and rise over the crops watching the colours change with the time of day, a good photo opportunity for those who are in love with the click of a camera, not the click click click of the phone.

A while back I had run out of money and had been looking for a A.T.M machine, but kept running into a lot of very kind people, I got talking to them for one reason or another. They invited me into their homes to spend the night and to join them for dinner, not because I gave them some sort of sob story, they never knew I had run out of money, they just decided to invite me into their homes to be friendly I guess.

I had one lady pass me in her car, she slowed down and asked if I was looking for a hostel as she owned one. The price was €20, I thanked her but told her I only had five so I will be on my way. For that moment she just looked at me and I thought to myself “what” she said okay but don't tell anyone ! With that a smile was created across my face as I got into her car and again thanked greatly. She asked me about what I was going to eat for dinner, I replied tonight nothing tomorrow is a new day. That night she prepared dinner for me telling me again to keep quiet.

“For sure I have been very lucky throughout my travels someone somewhere is truly looking out for me and my 9 lives were used long ago”

I have had a lot of good fortune on this journey, walking is a truly amazing experience. I found myself walking a few times at night, just for a different experience,I would wake up and start walking until sunrise and more, having the stars fall around me taking note of the star constellations was magic, a great time for reflection in many areas of life. “ I wish you could all experience that feeling “walking” Amongst the night without the need of a torch looking upwards”  Or even just walking in the day without the need of a car to go 100 yards or 500 yards or more. I know the ones who are unable to walk in life would agree with me greatly.

“As the stars fell I took one wish, the rest were not mine to ask for, why take more than I need”

I finally ended up in a village where I really was in need for money, I had to catch a bus asking the bus driver to let me off the fair as I had no money, I made it to the next village around 12km off the Camino, where I had been told there was a A.T.M machine but I found it to be out of order when I got there. I had to walk back the 12km, before I left the village I popped in to a shop, where I asked the shop owner if she would accept card for the supplies I needed, knowing that was going to be very doubtful, “and for sure I was right” But she gave me a large baguette and a drink for free that kept me going  till the end of the following day where I was tablehen  to withdraw cash.

The camino for me: it’s a strange feeling to be walking 1000km to a destination, there is something truly special about being able

to walk from place to place, meeting different people,seeing the country change as I walk deeper north into the country where many footsteps have been before me, dating back from Roman times and possibly more, it gets your mind thinking how they constructed the way, the brains behind it and the manpower to create it along with the materials used.

After a while you start to feel each pebble underfoot as the kilometres start to clock up during the day, you start to search and scan the ground for the flattest part of the Camino, it becomes quite an art looking in front for that ground that will be kind to your feet.

After walking a good number of hours you may come up to a brow of a hill and just the other side a town, city or village starts to show it’s face. It’s strange walking up to society. Graffiti starts to pop up, may be a old run down house, a motorway bridge that you may have to pass under  to reach the town, more plastic waist appears from more ignorance and lack of respect. The sound of humans,the beep of the car horns, smog and more enters your vision, then your senses change to a more urban element that will hopefully see you through this part of the journey, the bars, restaurants and shopping centres call for your pocket to open until you reach the other side of the tunnel. It’s a journey that is hard to describe in so few words.

The temperatures at night have changed a lot now that I am approaching far north. The mornings are fresh and nights cold in this month. I have been covering a great deal of ground over the last 16 days but something is now telling me to slow down for a reason. I do not know why just yet. May be I am at the end of my journey or may be there is something that is coming my way. I don't know what it is and I can't really put my finger on it right now, but times are strange and I just have to go with what I am picking up on.

Is it all coming to an end.

Day 8 of the Via de la Plata: Spain.

Day 8 of the Via de la Plata: Spain.

If you have been following my blog you will know from my previous write up that I am now walking the Camino Via de la Plata.

“What is the Via de la Plata”  It’s a Pilgrimage to Santiago in Spain.

The history of the Camino de Santiago goes back at the beginning of the 9th century (year 814)  moment of the discovery of the tomb of St James. “Who is St James” St James was apparently the Saint James the Greater, he was one of the disciples of Jesus.  He made a pilgrimage to the Iberian Peninsula to spread the word of Jesus. And so the pilgrimages  across Europe popped up and pilgrim's started there journey to St James tomb.

I started earlier this month after meeting a Pilgrim on his way to Santiago. In that moment I changed my plan and started the 1000km walk to Santiago. “Why you may ask”  I am traveling, I have no fix plan, I go with what feels right at that time. I am not walking it for any other reason, I had no planning, I had no quest or religious reason to do such a thing. I just thought in that time “yeah why not”  and so I started walking simple.

It has now been 8 days on the this ancient pilgrimage where many have walked in the name of  Jesus or whatever drives them to walk such distance.

It is very rural, the signs are sometimes a little hard to keep track of, other people who have walked this route way disagree .In the towns and villages you really do have to keep your eyes open, and I would say that some signs may have been tampered with to give different directions to certain accommodation. You do have to be quite aware of this. But there are many good apps that will show you the way along with description. Once you have had a few days on the camino everything becomes second nature to you.

“Don't stress just go for it your be fine”

Accommodation is available at each end of the day and you may also find accommodation in between the bigger days. You can find all of this information on the apps that the associations have created for you, it is all very straightforward and well organised from what I have seen. If you want personal space then bring your credit card, other wise get use to snoring and lights on at silly o’clock..”or take a tent”  

Local People on this particular camino are generally friendly and helpful, I guess they are not to over run like the neighbouring northern Caminos where Buen Camino, Hola” becomes a little irritating day in and day out with hundreds passing through day and night.

There is a fair bit of rubbish lying around the Camino, unfortunately a lot of Pilgrims feel that it is acceptable to leave their litter and toilet paper behind only thinking of themselves and their own quest on this journey.

“I believe all people who go out walking, hiking, or whatever activity they do should bag it and put it in the bin. You do it with dogs so what's the difference between man and beast” It’s pretty shameful if you ask me, used paper and drink bottles all over the place because of ignorance, Saying that you love nature, “come on seriously get a grip ! Would you do it in a town under the watchful eye !

Being in such a rural region is very peaceful and relaxing, it’s certainly a great feeling being out here finding your way through the farming areas and national parks. There are plenty of cattle so gates are extremely important throughout the walk and must be kept shut. The scenery is pleasant there is a lot of forest plantations and wild scrub land in the first 400km, a few hills but not mountains, depending on the time of year you may get your feet wet.

At the moment there has been a great water shortage I carry around 2 liters of water from point to point in temperatures that are around 30 degrees once the sun gets up. But you may need 3 depending on the temperature and how much you drink. I do carry a water filter with me that has helped a great deal, perhaps have a think about that. The tap water here, I have drank it, but it is very high in chlorine and fluoride. A decent water filter will eliminate a high percentage of this, by using one you will also have less of an impact on the environment along with keeping your cost down over time.

“Please think about the environment when you go traveling and your own carbon footprint”

What to take with you

Well everyone is very different, if I had planned for this trip then I would only be carrying 7kg with water and some food. I met a guy on a different camino a few months back he looked like he had just been into a hi- tec trekking shop and brought the latest goodess that he was very quickly regretting. Without being a snob, this is a walk you are not going to the Himalayas on your own. This is a marked out route there are shops where you can buy more kit if you really need to.

Personally it's like this - one set of clothes for walking one set of clothes for the evening. I can understand bringing a jumper of some sort and possibly a rain jacket. Any more than 8kg then have a strong think.  Go for a few very long walks first before you leave home. Of course if you're planning to camp out then it’s different. All my kit is 10 kg with water, food camping kit.

Before you leave home Walk with the kit that you're going to carry with you, I recommend you go on at least 4 big walks over varied terrain, walking around 10km with it. Stop occasionally go through your bag whilst out walking to look for stuff in your kit, doing this will help you understand how to pack.  Make sure you pack it correctly. Heavy kit always goes at the bottom that is generally rule. Whilst you have your pack on  make sure it feels part of you, you do not want it  hanging of you, make sure the pack is tight to your body. Most outdoor shops will sell you the bag saying it fits you but will not tell you how to wear and fit the bag to your body this is a different ball game.

So many people I see carry their packs completely wrong, it will ruin your back and days out, it will make you work harder.

Well this week that is all I am going to write about, hope some of this information helps you if you would like any more information drop me aline I realise I have left a great deal of information out.

Enjoy.

The Via de la Plata

Not far from the centre of Seville in Spain is a granite way-marker. It reads Santiago de Compostella 1000 kilometres. For anybody planning to walk all of those 1000km, it is a slightly daunting sight. But for others the sight of this marking brings a rush of blood through their veins.

Although the Via de la Plata (the Silver route) follows an old Roman road towards the metal mines in northern Spain, its name has nothing to do with silver. The name is most likely derived from the Latin word “platea” meaning wide road or “Lapidata” meaning stone road. Another possible origin is the Arabic word Balatta meaning road.

The route was used well before the Romans as well, in prehistory this route was used by farmers to move domesticated animals in the summer from the south to north and vice-versa. Later the route was well known for traders who came to the southern ports of the Iberian Peninsula and traded ceramics and jewelry for raw materials from the north.

The Via de la Plata was used by different migratory groups to invade and in the 8th century it allowed the Moors to advance into northern Spain and fill up the power vacuum left in the peninsula by the Romans. Later, this same route was used by Spanish for the Reconquista.

The route was used for pilgrimage during Moorish control as well from the 10th to the 12th centuries. Even the bells from the Santiago cathedral that were relocated to the mosque in Cordoba by Al-Mansur were transferred back to Santiago in the 13th century. But in later centuries fewer pilgrims have used this route until its revival in the 1980s.

Today, about 3.5% of the pilgrims walk the Via de la Plata while the Camino Frances remains the most popular route.

The problem I had was that I had not planned in walking this Pilgrimage. I was actually on my way to a main road where I was going  to hitch to Portugal spend a week or so there and head back to the U.K for some well deserved abuse from my work mates who I am sure would enjoy working me back into the ground giving me stick, giving me all the worst jobs in the world ! o

However this will have to wait. So keep slugging it out lads I know you miss me much x.

October the 6th 2017 came where I was minding my own business walking across a bridge in Seville, where I met this guy who was walking the 1000 km to Santiago de compostela. There in that moment in time my path of life changed, I found the Santiago de Compostela office, Registered my name picked up my “Credencial del Peregrino” that you need to get stamped along the way, you need to show this at the pilgrim's office in Santiago to receive your certificate. 

I set of in that moment to Santiago and so this is day 4, it's a diffrent life for sure.

North of the Island.

This volcanic Island that I have been venturing on has hidden secrets from the past. I could not find what I was looking for in the South of the island where many folk to put their feet up and relax. I headed to the North in search of something a little more gripping that would satisfy my thirst.

I hiked up over a mountain range to reach the other side of this Island.  It took me a fair few hours of walking I don't know how long as I never looked at the time when I left, but the sun was still high. AIs I walked up the mountain I passed through many larva field's from previous eruptions, it must of been one hell of a sight seeing this river of molten rock coming towards you destroying whatever lay in its path. “The larva fields are a strange place I hope you can all experience this place one day” I found them extremely quiet, for me it was a little weird I don't really know why and it’s hard to describe. Your just have to go and see for yourself.

Throughout the day on the other side I had walked for around 15km and hitched around 5km. Popping in to ports and quiet bays taking  in my surroundings that has been created over time from the volcanic eruptions throughout history. Reclaiming back it’s ground from conquering distant lands that set up home thinking all would be safe. Towards the end of the day and a little more suntan that is now making me look even more Arabic, I was faced with the North Atlantic ocean, and this mountain range that stretched out to the right of me into the distant North that I would soon be walking upon.

I sat on the rocky lava beach for a while where  I soaked up the warm rays of the sun occasional thoughts of where i'd sleep for the night popped in and out of my head whilst scanning the surrounding area of the geographic terrain that has been created by the huge power from beneath my feet, and how life has adapted to this place.

Whilst passing my time I watched all the creatures in the many lava rock pools around me,  taking a dip from time to time to cool of from the heat. Having my feet cleaned by the little creatures of the deep took some time to get use to, flinching a little as the bigger ones wanted a nibble, you could feel the small little, almost transparent crayfish pulling at the lose skin, watching their little pinchers go to work, cleaning where the toenail meets the skin and feeling that sensation did take awhile to get use to but after some minutes I got use to it.  A few fishermen pop by with the turn of the tide where they cast their line into the ocean in hope to catch supper for three nights tea. I got talking to a fisherman where we had a good conversation about different subject's. He told me that I should go to these mountains to get a taste where time stands still, that there are many villages in the area, and that traditional ways are still part of their daily life.

I asked him more about these mountains and what was hidden within its distant peaks and secluded bays, he spoke of Pirate hideouts where tunnels still await to be discovered, small picturesque villages, local delicacy, cheese and wine from the vineyards that sit on the slopes of these mountains. That many people still chose to live in caves because they are warm in the winter and cool in the summer months, plus many of their own generation's lived in them so they are past down to them.

He told me I should head to up a trail that was not to far from where we were.  The trail would lead me to a village, and from that village I could ask questions how to get to the next village. All I have to do is find and follow the well trodden path that wind and twist through time, “just ask the locals for directions your be fine”  I wrote down a number of place that he mentioned to help me out with where I was heading to. The time now was 18:00 in the evening so I set off on the trail that lead me up into the mountains,  I had around 7 km to travel and calculated, given the uphill terrain and the weight in my pack I should be able to make it to the village for sunset at a relaxing pace and find a good spot to camp for the night.

As I climbed higher I past many cactus plant, small lizards and butterflies, caves that I would've loved to of stayed in but it was still to early. I had to stop a few times to sit down and pinch myself that I was on another mission feeling alive once again. I promised myself that I would keep my phone switched off throughout this journey to truly take time out, to use my Spanish skills and intuition to get me through this northern land.

I made it to the village where there are house built into the rock that half hides them. They looked very posh, the outside walls paint reds and blues with plant pots placed very elegantly along there varandas, with wooden benches stretched across their rocky outpost looking out towards great natural beauty. I had made it in time for sunset and found a nice spot to camp looking out over the ocean, with the sunsetting to the west I lay down my bed for the night, prepared dinner on the fire that was fresh bread and a rice dish followed by banana and melted chocolate on top with honey combined with a few crushed nuts sprinkled on top.

The following day I was up early, I was packed and ready to go for 07:30, finding a bar for a “cafe con leche” for a boost to start the day. The barmen was a little rude towards me but I persevered with his attitude, and made an effort to break this rudeness where he warmed to me rewarding me with a free coffee and some good information accompanied with directions that  would see me through my day. It was a nice day, following the coastline from up high, looking down at the variation of blues that the ocean held in it’s hand. Alot up up and downs and water was not a problem as I managed to find a water source that I drank directly from.

As I walked along you could hear all the little lizards scurrying along in the volcanic scrub, running in front of me dashing from side to side, Sitting down for a while they would pop out to see what I was upto, but later found out they are very keen to be feed. The walking was fair and took me through a tree line where the strong winds had shaped their branches over time that made them intertwine with each other on points. On the slopes thier aware cactus plants tall and small, colours of lime greens with spiky thorns all over them that I dread slip and fall on to.

The sun was now at it’s highest, the trail took me down to a bay, so I thought I go for a swim to freshen up and to take some te out from the day. I underestimated the tide of the North Atlantic ocean, the tide took me out fast to my surprise and had started to struggled a little to get back to shore, I managed to body surf a wave in the end that nearly landed me on some rather nasty rocks. It was a nice and refreshing workout all the same, I sat on the shoreline thinking of the past times were shipwrecked crew must found that sea strong and powerful where many must have perished.

Throughout my days in the north I passed through a number of villages, learning about how certain parts of the north had been the stopping place for many sailing ships to the new world “America” how the spanish claimed the land and and built church's leaving behind certain religious items in these places of worship. How the Islanders survived in the dry lands by trying there best to preserve the forest where the leaves would collect the rain and water due, filtering it back down through the rock where they were able to harvest the water, to grow their crops and vineyards from. How they used the mountains to carve their house out of and all so carve into for their wine making production for various stages until barreled.

Walking through the day I would pick prickly pears to eat, this is the fruit that the cactus plant produce, they are varied in colours from green to red about 4inches tall and 2-3 inches in diameter when they are ready to eat. After carefully handling them, you could cut into the pear, where the fruit was protected from the elements of the weather and creatures. Lunch was always good, local food at the village bars or picnics on route sat on rocks looking out to sea.

I met a few people on my journey, Where I was invited in to stay for the night, or just for a chat and a coffee. One guy I came across had lived in a cave for 9 years after losing his wife from a tragic accident where the car she was sat in rolled of the edge of a cliff and killed her, he told me how he managed to deal with this great loss, and how he managed to survive of the land along with tapping into the key of life “ The water supply from the mountain”  Another person who I meet along my way was a lady whose husband was very rich, she had everything but happiness with her husband, so one day she packed that life up and found a new life walking away from it all. Found  a new partner where they made their home here in the North of the Island. Both extremely interesting characters,  I stayed with them for a night and there cooking was superb learning how they expand on the cave that must of been hard work, a view that a 5 star hotel would charge thousands for.

I loved my time in the North  chatting away to local people, visiting their villages and caves asking them the way to my next destination, walking along the paths taking in the countryside and rock formations, the colours and the smells, the creature that live there. Trying out the local tapas. Camping out from time to time, waking up with some great views of the ocean. Having the fortune luck in meeting those few people who shared their life stories, kindness and food made the trip more memorable.

I headed back down to the coast to write this story, sat on this sandy beach I spent most of the day chilling out, but then that  feeling started to kick in, I needed to move ! . I started to feel agitated sat there on that beach. so once again I got going, walking into the night taking a few snap shots along the way to wherever I was off to, finally finding a place to settle for the night.

Thanks for showing intrest.