Camino Crafts - Christmas Decorations

Every year I make advent calendars for my family and this year I decided to give my Dad's a Camino-theme on some days by putting in some Camino-inspired decorations fro the tree along with his chocolate.

I bought some shrinkables plastic from the local bead shop (this is a sheet of plastic that looks like one of the acetate sheets that used to be used for OHPs that when heated in the oven shrinks in size). I then used some permanent markers to draw designs on the sheet

Two shells and an arrow from the Camino and the symbols for the via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome (which me and Dad have walked 20 miles of) and the walk to Mont St Michel in France (not walked yet!). Seeing as the sheet of plastic is completely see-through I simply placed it over my computer screen and traced these images straight from there but you could also print out images to copy or draw them free-hand

The next step is to cut the images out - obviously the Camino shell is quite fiddly and I didn't think the individual parts would shrink well so I cut around the image instead. At this stage use a hole punch to make a hole for your thread - the plastic becomes much thicker once shrunk and it's impossible to make a hole then

The shapes after shrinking - all that's left is to put some thread through the holes and then hang them on the tree!

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Route Napoleon closures: November-March

For anyone thinking of setting off on the Camino anytime soon just a reminder that the Navarrese Govenmnet closes the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees from November 1st - March 31st each year (and longer if need be). Roncenvalles in the snow The official notification for this (from last year) is below.

The Camino Primitivo

The Camino Primitivo (or the Original Way) is reportedly the very first Camino Way to Santiago in the 9 th century when most of Spain was under the control of the Moors and it runs from near the city of Ovideo in Asturias as it starts in Villavicosa (which also lies on the Camino Norte so many people follow this Way from Basque city of San Sebastian (Donosti in Basque) or in from the French border at Irun ( this route then hugs the Bay of Biscay passing through Guernica, Bilbao, Santander, Llanes before going under the Picos de Europa and then heads along the coast to Ovideo) before branching off onto the Primitivo which goes across the mountains and through the city of Lugo before joining the Frances at Melide. The route is 320km long. Image taken from https://viaalpina2013.wordpress.com/2013/04/14/camino-del-norte-camino-primitivo/

Pilgrim Prayer - Columba

Columba was an Irish monk (who founded several monasteries in Ireland) who sailed with 12 others to the island of Iona just off the west coast of Scotland. The Abbey he funded became one of the powerhouses of Mediaeval Christendom. He lived from 7th December 521 until 9th June 597. Alone with none but thee, my God, I journey on my way. What need I fear, when thou art near O king of night and day? More safe am I within thy hand Than if a host did round me stand. Be thou a bright flame before me, Be thou a guiding star above me, Be thou a smooth path below me, Be thou a kindly shepherd behind me, Today, tonight and forever.

On the Camino

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