The Fisterrana

Having walked a few Caminos since my first incredible experience back in 2010:

• 2010 - The Camino Frances from SJPP            800kms
• 2011 - The Camino Portuguese from Porto      230kms
• 2012 - The Camino Primitivo from Oviedo       285kms
• 2013 - The camino Ingles from Ferrol             110kms
• 2013 - Camino Finisterra                               90kms (all distances are approx)

I now have a nice collection of Compostellas - one for each of the four Caminos walked over the past four years 

 

 
and then another for the final part to Finisterra, although this is not recognised by the church (so that should bother me why?!) and to give it its correct name is the Fisterrana.

The Fisterrana is much more colourful with a variety of symbols on it. I've trawled the internet to try and find out why the symbols are on there - what meaning they may have but so far have been unsuccessful.  If any one has any ideas please leave me a comment.

To get the official compostella in Santiago you have to have walked at least 100kms (or cycled 200kms) which is why so many people start in Sarria on the French route, missing out on so much of the full experience. 

To get the Fisterrana you simply have to walk from Santiago to Finisterre. 

For both collecting stamps along the way is essential to prove your journey. 

So far I have thus walked a total of over 1,515 kms walked over the past 3 years -not bad for a couch-potato! And next year ... well Janey and I have yet to decide...

 Celebrating in 2010 having completed the Camino Frances from St Jean Pied de Port.

 And in 2013 having walked the Camino Ingles from Ferrol

Slow down

This morning on my way back from Cubelles -a town just down the coast from us -in the car I passed an old pony and trap ambling along the highway. How wonderful I said out loud to myself, to travel slowly and see the world. This immediately threw me straight back to the Way. 

One of the great things about walking the Caminos for me is the pace. Living life more slowly allows me to think and to see the world as we pass each other. 

 I love walking the ways in northern Spain and seeing the beautiful countryside, and the ways that the Camino adds to it.

 

I love smelling the variety of smells from the delicate flowers (this year Jane was honeysuckle obsessed) to the less pleasant smells of nature, but nonetheless remind me what my nose is for. 

 I love to stop a while and watch and admire the wild, and domestic animals that fill the sides of the way.

Taking time to enjoy the company of new friends is something we (I) don't always allow ourselves in the rush of our daily lives. On the Camino meeting and finding out about each other is all part of the amazing experience.

Living life at an easier pace is one of the things that drags me (happily) back to the Camino year after year, and now as I rush round it's something that I am truly missing.


And to help me remember to slow down and make the morning last... in fact the lyrics fit the Camino quite well too-...