Introduction

I am undertaking a Holy Pilgrimage, the Camino Ingles. How did this come about?

I don't really do Bucket Lists, believing that there is as much reward in the small and unexpected events in life as in the big planned trips. My planning horizon tends to be quite short, a year at the most

My friend Lisa however did set down a list of life challenges in a fit of enthusiasm on her fiftieth birthday. Walking the Camino de Santiago was one of these, and I suppose this approach to life does encourage you to get out and do things. Her original plans to walk the route were derailed several times by the Covid pandemic, but she has continued to try and make this walk happen. So when I was asked in February whether I would join her I was surprised but not completely shocked. The plan is to walk the Camino Ingles, a 115km route that makes it eligible for people wanting their Compostela - a certificate of completing the Camino de Santiago

It's not a route that I would have chosen myself, but the long history associated with the pilgrimage route and with over 25,000 people a year walking this trail, it does look interesting. So why not, and with my departure date approaching I'm starting to feel quite excited and looking forward to the venture

Plan A, back in February, was for Vera to meet me at the finish in Santiago. However, it's not a convenient place to get to. So Plan B is for us to converge on Porto and spend some time there, in Coimbras, and finally Lisbon. Neither of us have been to Portugal, and all three look good cities

Rules and Terminology

There are rules associated with the Camino de Santiago, at least if you want your achievement to be officially recognised

This mostly centres around demonstrating that you have walked at least one hundred kilometres. Different distances apply if cycling (200 km), on horseback (100 km), or sailing boat (100 nautical miles) 

The Peregrino, or pilgrim, carries a Credencial, which is your pilgrims passport giving access to hostels. This contains Sellos, or stamps of passage, showing your progress along the route. In the last 100km, ie our walk, you must obtain at least two Sellos per day

I read that Sellos can be obtained at hostels, churches, landmarks (?), cafes, town halls, convents, etc. Intriguingly I see a Sello is obtainable from the Bagpiper of Morgade, if you encounter the piper playing

At the end of your journey you present yourself to the International Pilgrim Reception Centre in Santiago where, if satisfied with your Credencial, they will issue you with a Compostela certifying that you have completed the Camino de Santiago. Oh, and you must also undertake the journey for religious or spiritual reasons. 

So I complete my online Pilgrim registration. The allowable Reasons for Pilgrimage on the form are Religious; Non-Religious; Other. The first two reasons seem to encapsulate all options, but thought I should play safe and go for 'Other' 

I am now Pilgrim number A2509CLS7

Previous

Next