Summer 2022
I walked this ancient pilgrim trail, also known as the Way of St. James, in early summer this year with three nursing friends. We walked the last 76 miles of the route in six days finishing in the pilgrim city of Santiago, the final resting place of St. James.
The countryside was beautiful, undulating and green. Lots of wild flowers covered the path sides. The way passes many historical churches and buildings and lots of places to eat and stay.
The Camino walk is very well signposted with yellow arrows keeping you on the right direction and were always accompanied by a scallop shell emblem. The shells are the distinctive emblem of the Camino as they symbolise the many pilgrim routes that all lead to Santiago.
Large numbers of people from all over the world make this pilgrim journey all year round. All had their own story. Some willing to share, others travelled in silence. Often on their own. Some singing, some chanting. The many languages I heard reminded me of the Pentecost.
At the end of the journey my friends and I attended the Pilgrim mass in the Cathedral in Santiago which was very spiritually moving and we saw the crypt where the body of St. James lies. It was quite overwhelming to appreciate that he was Jesus’s cousin, his first disciple and brother of John the Baptist.
I would strongly encourage you to consider undertaking this very worthwhile pilgrim walk.
One of the reasons for doing this walk was to raise funds for Christian Aid. Total raised, including gift aid , is a wonderful £1,220. Thank you all for supporting me in this journey.
Ann Brough, Summer 2022.