Camino Portuguese Day 1 - England to Santiago, Monday 11th September

Today was a day of traveling starting from home and arriving in Santiago - the flights used to be early in the morning which left enough time to travel onwards but now that flights are later in the day arriving at Santiago was as far as we could get today.

We got up at 5:45 and then it was the long drive down to London.

At the airport we had just enough time to run to Boots and buy some sandwiches before we went to get our flight.

Having landed in Santiago we caught the bus to the city and then went to our hotel - it was the same one that me and Becky staying in before our Camino in 2016 and was as comfortable as we remembered.

We didn't want to go into the old part of town before we had walked there and so instead headed to a supermarket to buy some bread, cheese, ham and gluten free corn cakes for the next day. After a quick drink at a near-by bar we headed back to our room to eat our sarnies and then got an early night.

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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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