By Linda Dalton, MindSpace volunteer The vibrant colours of autumn bring joy to many but the onset of long dark nights, dreary November days and the thought of the cold winter months to come can quickly bring on the autumn blues. There are many reasons to suffer the blues, but… Read More
MindSpace volunteer Dominic Cerillo looks at what you can do if you’re feeling lonely… During the pandemic’s lockdowns, we all missed talking to our families or friends in the flesh at some point. We all longed for a hug from that one person who makes us feel safe. We all… Read More
It is a question many of us who walk to Santiago de Compostela and other pilgrimage sites ask ourselves. Yesterday morning at breakfast I had a brief conversation with another pilgrim about having booked all my accommodation. His response was that a pilgrim takes his chances when he turns up… Read More
The Caminho begins (written 27 August 2022) Since we landed here in Portugal, life has been so full I have only had time to write the briefest notes. Now we have a rest day and I can record my thoughts more clearly. I begin my pilgrimage with Christine, a friend,… Read More
by Sally Freestone, MindSpace Volunteer As the calendar nudges beyond August and into September, I always think it signals the end of summer, and the start of autumn. A friend said to me that this time of year is more synonymous, for her, with “new beginnings” than January, and, before… Read More
Before Julie set off on her big adventure a few days ago, she debated long and hard over what to take and what to leave behind. Deciding what to take with me has been both fun and a challenge. This is a long list so get yourself a brew… Read More
Since walking on the Camino in 2018 I have thought more about what it means to be a pilgrim. In the past, the religious aspect was very much the focal point of the journey. For thousands of pilgrims today this is still so, however many of us who walk today… Read More
Julie’s thoughts and memories inspired by previous walks give rise to further musings on the nature of pilgrimage, before she embarks on the 400k, seven week long walk along the Portuguese Caminho Way later this month. In my previous blog I described a pilgrimage as a journey usually taken on… Read More
Many people have asked me why I am walking the Camino de Santiago, if I am walking as a pilgrim and if I am religious. I often stumble over my response. In my last blog I wrote about the benefits of walking as exercise but walking a Camino is so… Read More
Preparation and anticipation – Julie Lunt’s blog part 2 There are several guide books which document ‘The Caminos’ in detail which include maps, terrain, daily distance broken down into sections between villages and what is available, such as cafes, accommodation and supermarkets. From this information I have created a detailed… Read More
