On the Camino

I came across this site http://www.viadelaplataguide.net/  which has a free guide to the via de la Plata - I was able to put in straight on my Kindle and haven't had much of a look at it yet but every little helps when planning a Camino! Maps are available (in Spanish) at http://www.gronze.com/guia-via-plata/etapas/etapa-1-sevilla-guillena Image taken from https://www.caminodesantiago.me/is-via-de-la-plata-really-not-walkable-in-july/

Albergues are usually pretty busy places with people of different nationalties, ages and cultures trying to live together in what is often quite a small space so below I've written out some 'rules' that I have gathered from my Caminos - if you think of any more then please add them in: Wait your turn to sign into the albergue; do not jump the queue Be polite to the hospitalero (whether they be a volunteer, someone who works there or the owner of the albergue) Pay as soon as you arrive – set amount or a donation If there is a special area for boots then remove them before entering the bedroom

I have only walked 20 miles on the via Francigena (from Canterbury to the Coast after walking the Pilgrims Way) but received my Pilgrim Credential within Canterbury (for free!). There are other places that they can be found though - the Pilgrims to Rome group sells them ( http://www.pilgrimstorome.org.uk/ ) but only to their members. This site also offers them: http://www.eurovia.tv/wir-ueber-uns/besetuung-pilgerausweis-2.html Image taken from http://francigenaways.com/travel-tips/via-francigena-culture

In Spain Christmas celebrations continue until the 6 th of January (Epiphany or Twelfth Night which marks the end of the winter celebrations that start on All Hallows Eve. In mediaeval times this was a time when the Lord of Misrule ruled symbolising the World turning upside down as all of the Lords of the land would become peasants and vice versa). On this day, Día de los Reyes Magos ,  children receive presents from the Wise Men (named in tradition as Melchor, Gaspar and Balthasar) to whom they have written letters in the days leading up to this date. These letters are either given to the wise men’s ‘emissaries’ and royal postmen in the town squares of their homes a few days before or to the Wise Men themselves as they parade through their town on the 5 th of January.   Image taken from http://www.enforex.com/culture/reyes-magos.html