Hey, friends – I’m just letting you know that I’m leaving England soon and I’ll be living like a pilgrim in Spain for 3 months. This is a heads up there won’t be any new posts until late December, 2023.
I’ll be living off my backpack so heavy items like my laptop are not coming with me. Therefore, no new blog posts until I return to England for my next housesitting assignment.
I’ll be posting videos to YouTube of my 800km (500 mile) walk on the Camino de Santiago. Yes! It’s hard to believe than in 10 days I’ll begin my pilgrimage. If you’re not already a subscriber, click here to go to my YouTube channel where I’ll be frequently uploading short videos.
You heard it here first
I’ve been thinking of returning to Spain for nearly two years and one of my goals is to walk the Camino de Santiago. A few things had to happen first, mostly sad. And earlier this year I shared my plans.
Three weeks after writing about finding my way, I bought my plane ticket to London, England. Time to quit planning and start doing!
Pilgrim preparation
One of the first things I did in January, 2023 was order my pilgrim credential. It cost me $5 from the Canadian Company of Pilgrims. I also ordered a patch for my backpack, also $5. The credential is needed to collect stamps from albergues (hostels), restaurants, and tourist attractions. In Santiago I show it at the Pilgrim office as proof of my pilgrimage in order to get my certificate of completion. It is also needed to show inn keepers that I’m a pilgrim in order to get a bed for the night.
I took a detour to the house where I grew up to find my Camino stone to leave at the Iron Cross (Cruz de Ferro).
What’s in my backpack
It seems just about everyone who walks the Camino de Santiago does a video showing what they’re carrying in their backpack, so count me in!
Most of the items I purchased and accumulated are coming to Spain. Others were abandoned to make my load a little lighter. I’m a nomad who is traveling with all my worldly possessions in a suitcase and a backpack. I was tossing things right up until a couple of hours before leaving for the airport. Said goodbye to my Brita thermos that I specifically purchased for traveling. Reality? Bulky and weighs a pound.
Anyway, here is what I’m taking in my backpack.
Sort of a tough thing for me is that I’ll be in Spain for a few more weeks after walking the Camino and won’t have any normal clothes to wear. No jeans, sweater, or rainjacket.
Sigh.
Especially since the weather will be changing and getting cooler in November and December. I’ll buy a hoodie somewhere along the way. Maybe even a pair of jeans.
The pilgrim clothes are lightweight and quick drying, but not particularly attractive.
Buen camino!
Check out my route. Ignore the numbers. I think that’s how many days a cyclist takes to ride to Santiago.
And now I sign off with the traditional greeting on the Way.
Buen camino!
See you on back at The Lifestyle Digs in December!
Published by Cheryl @ The Lifestyle Digs on September 12, 2023.
