As you’re reading this I’m flying to Spain!
After 9 years I’m returning to do the Camino de Santiago. The route I’m taking will be from Saria to Santiago, then the second week will be Santiago to Finisterre.
The words pilgrimage conjures images of suffering, sacrifice and endurance, basically my previous experience in a nutshell. I pushed my body to breaking point because I believed the more I suffered and offered up that suffering I could somehow save my Aunty Viv, who had non Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
I pushed my body beyond the point of its endurance, returning from Spain with my broken body. I started therapy and began a 2 year long intense healing process.
Before she died, Viv asked me would I do the Camino again for her and next time she would walk it with me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and agreed, both of us knowing what she meant…
I could never bring myself to do it again.
I would receive various emails from charities inviting me on the Camino or this trek and that. Nothing could tempt me.
Until last year.
The team from Magic Hill holidays contacted me and offered to cover my accommodation in exchange for me documenting my journey and showing what a positive Camino experience they offer!
Firstly the words positive and Camino didn’t go in the same sentence for me! Secondly they were based locally, literally a ten minute car drive to the village of Blackrock in County Louth and thirdly it had been on my mind. If I had needed a sign, it had landed in my lap.
I went to their office and met the team. Bronagh the owner was so passionate about the Camino , how it shouldn’t be about suffering and more about a celebration of life. It’s a stop gap on the path of life, an eat, pray, shove into reclaiming yourself again.
I found myself exchanging details , booking flights, and here we are.
9 years later I look back on my former self. I have nothing but compassion for who I was. I’ve changed so much but I’ve never lost my spirit or curiosity for that matter! My nanny has recently passed and I don’t believe in coincidences. I know viv & her will be with me every step. I still can’t believe I’m doing this on my own, but I’ve always wanted to travel on my own but the opportunity never presented itself…
I’ve always been fascinated by Templar knights. I was one in a past life and have had confirmation of this when I visited the castle in Tomar, Portugal. A Templar gave me a guided tour and I had this overwhelming sense of familiarity while I was there. He was able to validate what I picked up and told him.
When Jesus was crucified the apostles scattered. James went to Spain to preach his word. After some time he decided to come back. When King Herod got word that James was back in town, he ordered his execution and had his body parts thrown to the four corners of the city. His followers collected them and began the pilgrimage back to Spain. His resting place is where the cathedral now stands and the pilgrimage has become a symbol for the journey spiritual & physical we will all make in this lifetime.
So here I am on the road again! I will be filming a blog that I will be uploading every day to tic tok and I will be Posting reels on instagram daily also. I also have a subscription available on instagram, sadly it’s only available in some regions but I plan to do spontaneous lives there as well!
I’ve been posting links to Magic hills holiday for several months now, so if you haven’t checked them out please do & drop them a follow on instagram!
Have a wonderful month!
Fiona
