Outside the Casa Consistorial, Viana, at 07:40 this morning. There is always something bittersweet about coming to the end of another stage of this extended Camino. At one level, I am wanting get home to husband and hearth, to the love and the comforting routines of every day. But at another, every fibre of me …
Continue reading Camino Stage 6: Day 16 – Viana, Logroño and Bilbao
The lights came on in the abbey dormitory at 06:15, breakfast was at 07:00, and we had to be out and away by 08:00. It had not been a restful night. Twenty or so people jammed into a room with bunk beds. I have to say that my years of going on the top bunk …
Continue reading Camino Stage 6: Day 9 – Roncesvalles to Zubiri
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
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
Something I wrote and gave nearly a year ago - but it may be of interest. A lunchtime Seminar for LGBT History Month Sponsored by PRIDE Cymru and Cardiff University LGBT+ Staff Network Wednesday 17th February 2016 Very good to be with you today. And thanks to the sponsors of this event. This talk is …
From The Quire 