Hola First name / pilgrim 👋

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This has been by far the toughest week writing my next book.

 

For each chapter I am exploring each of my Caminos, why I did them, what I was hoping for, what I found and where that then lead me.

This Chapter has been about the Camino Primitivo I did in September 2020.

 

It came at one of the toughest times of my life. We had just had our second miscarriage and Mum had just had surgery for an incurable brain tumour.  It was also in the midst of that insane era of Covid.

 

It was a journey I went on due to grief and ambiguous loss, one name for grieving someone while they are still alive.

 

F**king hell, it has been a bit of a rollercoaster reliving that time, but also really healing to get it all out on paper.

My Mum had made me promise to go on my Camino before she had her op as she knew I needed some Camino time. Here is an excerpt from my book…

 

"She was so worried that I hadn’t had time to deal with our second miscarriage and now with all this with her. It was so much, and she knew I needed to be on the Camino to be OK. She really understood what the Camino had brought to my life and my recovery, though she could never experience what I had herself. She got it!

 

That day I made that promise to her. No matter what, I would go on the Camino Primitivo in September.

 

Mum and I knew we were saying goodbye in those days, though we didn’t say it in so many words. I am so grateful for that time we had together and the gift of being able to say those things others might have wished they had the chance to. This will always be one of my favourite photos of Mum."

 

It's from a few days before her op when we took a trip to where she was born, grew up, and later retired to in Blackpool…

There is much more to the story (you'll have to wait for the book), but I did the Primitivo in ten days and got a Compostela in my Mum's name on her 73rd birthday 10-days before she died with me at her side.

 

Here is the video of me of the moment in the little chapel at the Pilgrims Office in Santiago when I had just got her Compostela…

There are some videos on my website now and the rest will be uploaded tomorrow morning of that trip if you want to check out the Primitivo. It's a beautiful route! 

Phew!

 

Tomorrow I move on to another epic Camino for me - The Camino del Norte in 2021. Watch this space for more about that…

I also had some great news this week.

 

The Spanish translation is now LIVE to buy on AMAZON :-)

If you know any Spanish speakers who would love “The Ultimate Planning Guide” to the Camino, please pass on the details.

I have also set myself up on Substack where I will also be posting these Newsletters and there is an option to subscribe for more Camino hints, tips and support.

 

Here is the link to follow me or subscribe

Training continues here - though not at the pace my head tells me I should be doing it. I am, as ever, setting far to unrealistic goals to achieve. BUT I am glad of our half-marathon that my fella and I have booked in to in December to give me a goal. Also for the fabulous fold-up treadmill I got from a friend who didn't want it any more.

I managed a full 50 minutes with only 2 mins rest in the middle on Friday :-)

 

This is another day when I was working at my stand-up desk and walking at the same time. I'm loving it. Still bouncing too, though only every now and again.

How's your training going?

 

Shout if you have any suggestions of content you would like me to explore in a newsletter too.