May we enjoy Time Together:
beside the wide sea,
beneath the far stars,
in the sun’s warm rays,
in the gentle rain.
And may God
Bless our Walking on the Good
Earth.
Adapted from a poem by Joy Mead
With thanks to Pilgrim Chris Goddard
The Pilgrims are beginning to gather …
We "set sail" on Sunday 2nd October.
Boots on the Ground: Monday 3rd October at 08.30 hours.
After a three year gap – “Events, dear boy, Events” – we are back Out Rambling in Europe.
Jackie & Jeff, Jan & Mark, the Boy from t’ North – Roger & novitiate David will be joining me.
This time it is the Camino dos Faros, out on the north-west coast of Spain – the infamous Costa da Morte !
One step at a time ...
We start at Malpica and end late on
the afternoon of Tuesday 11 October at Finisterre, the most Westerly point of Continental
Europe.
Yes; I know.
The Finisterre where I once said that - having strolled 550 miles across Spain -
I will Never Return !!!
For some days are never to be forgotten !!
The basic plan – who knew there even was a plan ??!! - is to walk about 120 miles / 195 kilometres over 8 days. Around 15 miles / 25 kilometres a day.
Did I mention the Ups & Downs ?
About 6,500 metres / 21,000 feet. Around 800 metres / 2,500 feet a day.
Like many coastal paths, the Camino dos Faros combines numerous ascents and descents with a route that never takes the straightest line between two points.
Of the eight days, six are spent
along exposed stretches of coast whilst two head inland to navigate around
relatively tranquil river estuaries.
The six days along the coast are spent climbing headlands and walking along dramatic cliff edges.
This is a landscape where large granite tors remind British walkers of the South West Coastal Path
in Devon and Cornwall.
The views are constantly changing, but the noise from the sea and the wind is ever present.
The Costa da Morte gets its name because there have been so many shipwrecks along its treacherous rocky shoreline.
(They do say) On sunny, early Autumnal days - if you look out to sea from high up on the cliffs - you can sometimes
see The Black Pig.
Captain Pugwash himself.
Cabin Boy Tom.
As the Costa da Morte’s name suggests, there are Lighthouses aplenty.
Sé un Faro Brillante delante de mí
Be a Shining Beacon before me, O God
a guiding star above me.
Be a smooth path below me,
a kindly shepherd behind me
today, tonight, and for ever.
The Prayer of St Columba of Iona
A particular feature of this Camino is the Beaches which promise to be AMAZING !
Look out for the photos of Ricardo in the Waves…
Of course, there will be all the Regular Features of Pilgrimage.
Naturally - as we always do on Pilgrimage - back in the UK we will have The Reverend Susan on Statistics !!
The Daily Blog will be up &
running.
Don’t worry: we Never let the Facts get in the way of What Really Happened !!!
The Food. The Galician region of Spain has a reputation for wonderful seafood.
The well-deserved Estrella Galicia (or two) at the end of the day.
The Café Bar Alborada, Corcubión
There will be - how could it even possibly be
otherwise - one of the famous Rest Days.
This time it will be in Muxia.
The Lavanderia has already been identified …
Lavanderia Autoservicio Muxia
Rua Manuel Murguia, 20, 15125 Muxia
# Always Remember #:
No Wise Pilgrim ever travelled without
an Ironed Shirt
If we have enough breath, the Big
Issues will be Discussed & Resolved …
Brexit
Globalisation
Global Warming
The Economics of Deer Farming in New
Zealand
What is Happiness ?
Well … Discussed anyway !!!
Spain: “Best” ice creams in the World !!!
So,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you
Safe in the palm of His hand.
See you soon!!
Adiós, Ricardo
PS
After dinner Captain Pugwash & the
crew of The Black Pig swigged a tot (or two) of rum and sang The Pirates Song.
I've long liked the last verse:
This crew you can join
We'll take one and all
For Pirates are Pirates
Just ... Answer the call
As always, All welcome !!