On the Camino

 This blessing comes from the text of a mediaeval rite dated 1078 and was preserved in the Missal of Vich Cathedral in Barcelona.  In Roncesvalles' Abbey this blessing is used at the end of the Mass for pilgrims passing through.

There are many links to the Camino in England from Churches dedicated to Saint James to pilgrims putting up scallop shells outside their homes but here are three interesting examples I've found.

This is one of my favourite pictures from my first Camino - I was walking that day with a girl from Canada and her mother but her mother walked more slowly than us so we stopped, sat at the side of the road and waited for her to catch up. Sometimes on the Camino it is nice to just stop and watch other Pilgrims going past.

The municipal albergue here had very welcoming volunteer hosipteleros when we stayed.

When I get to Santiago there is that moment when you are no longer a Pilgrim and become a tourist and start doing touristy things like buying souvenirs and presents. Buying things for men, smart things that they can wear to work, seems to be confined to pretty expensive ties so here's a suggestion instead 

There is no evidence in the Bible that Saint James ever visited Spain in his ministry or that his body was taken there after his death but what does the Bible say about him?  

Here's a selection of Camino Easter decorations I made last year - 

In Spain the Easter processions are organized by 'Co-fradias' or 'The Brotherhoods' and the floats that they carry are called 'tronos'. The people who carry them are called 'Costaleros' (a ' costal' being the small cushion often used to stop the tronos causing sores when being carried - the tronos can weigh up to 6 tons!). A parade in Santiago