Dawn in Saint-Palais The hostel in Saint-Palais had been a Franciscan friary until 2005 when the last friars left. It was taken over by the municipality and comprehensively upgraded (new cloister constructed besides other improvements). Use is now shared between the municipal tourist office, a museum of Basque history and the pilgrims hostel. In the …
Continue reading Camino Stage 6: Day 6 – Saint-Palais to Ostabat-Asme
Planning for my next stage of the Camino de Santiago
Last night was wrapped in the deep silence of the countryside, with only the sound of rain. I woke to a brighter morning and, after breakfast, was on the road by 8.15am. I had agreed to walk with Annie, whom I had met on the road on Tuesday. She had lodged at the same place, …
Continue reading Camino Stage 5: Day 5 – Bourriot-Bergonce to Roquefort
Ready for the road Today the walk restarted. First of all, I had a quick breakfast, then departed from last night's lodging. The room was fine, but the couple running it were disturbingly unfriendly. I checked with a Frenchwoman I met on the road who had stayed there, and it wasn't just me. Why run …
Vines and an ancient tower at Haute Bonnetie This was my first walking day. I was up early after a good night's sleep, and ready before Breakfast, so I was on the road by 7.22. Sainte-Foy was wrapped in quite heavy mists; Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness This made walking along the road rather …
Continue reading Camino Stage 4: Day 2 – Sainte-Foy-la-Grande to Saint Ferme
Today is the last day of eight and a half years working as an NHS chaplain. I began what you might call my career at the age of twenty-five when I was ordained deacon in the Church of England's Durham diocese, and, with short breaks for study or illness, I have been doing a variety of …
Continue reading Embodying Love and Hope – The Chaplain’s Calling
From The Quire 