Just started another blog under tab Italy to register my next pilgrimage: The Via Francigena in Italy. If you’d like to follow me you can do so at the bottom of the page.
Welcome Back
I have just finished updating this blog to create space to record my next pilgrimage in Europe. This time I plan to walk about 750 km across the beautiful south of France: from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. I fly from Perth to Paris on Saturday, August 15th. I should arrive in Paris on Sunday, August 16th, where I intend to spend the night before catching a train to Le Puy the next day. I was told this train trip is the easiest way to reach Le Puy and that the journey itself is through some beautiful, scenic landscape. My plan is to spend the night in Le-Puy and, if I’m ready, start walking the next day…
I hope to walk every day for about 5 weeks or so. I’ll take it as it comes, but I hope to arrive in SJPP at the latest by September 23rd, maybe a little earlier. From there I catch a train back to Paris, and maybe spend a couple of days having a look around before flying back to Perth on Saturday, September 26th. So if all goes to plan, I should arrive back home on September 27th, on my mother’s birthday!
For those who are following my blog for the first time, this is my third pilgrimage. I first walked about 850 km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela in 2010. I then walked about 650 km from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela in 2013. Again, I’m a little nervous about starting this new adventure (as usual on my own) but very excited too. I’ve been going for practice walks, taking some French lessons, doing some reading, it feels I’ll never be ready. But I know I’m already am.
I’d love you to come with me in this new adventure! If you’re not a follower yet, you can become one by clicking the appropriate link at the bottom of the page. This way, you can receive an email notification every time I post something new. And you can also post comments and let me know what you’ve been up to while I’m away.
Au revoir!
WELCOME
Hi everyone, I created this blog as part of my preparation for my second walk or pilgrimage: the Camino Portugues. This will be my main way of keeping in touch with family and friends. So please subscribe by following the prompts at the bottom left and you’ll get notifications via email each time I post any news. Don’t worry, I’m as busy as you are, so I’m only posting occasionally, and once I start walking I’ll probably only have time for a post each day, or every couple of days.
To give you a little bit of the background, my first pilgrimage was the Camino Frances in 2010 from St Jean Pied du Port (France) to Santiago de Compostela (Spain). I walked about 850km then in 5 weeks with no rest days! This time I’ll walk from Lisbon (Portugal) to Santiago de Compostela (Spain) – only 650km. Having said that, this walk will be more challenging in some ways. This route is currently not as popular as the French route so there’ll be less infrastructure (fewer waymarkings and accommodation options between daily destinations for instance) and fewer pilgrims. I might walk literally alone most of the time, or at least the first part of the Camino until I reach Porto. Well, I’ll walk alone, but never really be alone, as you’ll be there with me. 🙂
I’m a little scared but very excited about walking the Portuguese Camino. I look forward to sharing my journey with you through this blog.
Só agora consegui entrar – Que bom que deu tudo certo no seu passeio pela natureza – Muito bom mana
Selminha??
Boa caminhada irmã! Que Deus a proteja! Tenha muita paciência, resiliência e amor no coração para distribuir aos peregrinos que encontrar! ❤️🙏
Obrigada irmã. Mas já voltei! Esse relato e em retrospecto 😁
Make sure to include lots of ochos on the hiking trail 🙂
Guess what? Ended up bringing my tango shoes as my niece’s boyfriend is a dance teacher and can teach tango 🙂
Boa viagem e boas experiências maninha!
I’m back already! Read the blog! 🙂
Show de bola Irma
Ciao, sono stato contento di aver fatto una tappa della Francugena con te. Buone cose. Giordano
Grazie! 🙂
Boa viagem amiga! Estarei te acompanhando por aqui. Bjs
Oi amiga! Obrigada. Um grande beijo. X
Go Val. I’m looking forward to travelling vicariously through you. xB
🙂
What an amazing journey Valda. Good luck!
Thanks Julia 🙂
Bonjour Val
Comment vas tu …tu as du rentrée dans ton pays … J’ai été heureuse de faire ta connaissance sur les chemins une très belle rencontra …nous avec les filles c’étaient pas facile de reprendre une vie normale mais on repartira pour le cammino en Espagne l’an prochain
Bises et qui sait peut être !!!
Nathalie
VAL. Em breve finalizará a sua caminhada. Parabens por mais esta conquista. Me avise pelo ZAP ZAP quando chegar em casa ok? Tenha uma ótima semana final…. Beijos
Hi Valda, J’espere que ton periple se passe bien et que tu fais de belles decouvertes 🙂
Periple? Qu’est ça? Merci pour votre commentaire. A tout a heure.
Hi Valda. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip. Trying to get fitter for the Oxfam walk. Cheers for now. David
Thanks David 🙂
Bonjour! J’espere tu vas faire un bon promenade! Julia
Merci beaucoup, mon amie x
Looking forward to following your journey.
Querida Val, acompanharei sua viagem e desejo sucesso. Você é guerreira. Um beijo de sua amiga de sempre. Nan
Querida Val, parabéns pela iniciativa, coragem e determinação! Aguardo as novidades sobre mais essa aventura! Bjs
Mônica
I loved it. I´ll follow your trip.Have a nice nice nice nice trip….. Kisses in your heart,
good luck and enjoy…
I am as excited as you are. Look forward waking with you Val.
Love
Iwona x
Hi Valda, this is going to be a very exciting and enjoyable journey. Looking forward to hearing all about it. Teresa 🙂
🙂
Look forward to follow you on your Spiritual Journey x
Good to meet you this morning Val. What a wonderful adventure. Look forward to reading your future posts. Best wishes to you on your pilgrimage, Noel
Hi Val, thanks so much for sharing your blog. I am setting off from Lisbon on 1 May and have been searching for a positive account of the camino from Lisbon – there are so many negative accounts out there. I walked the Frances last year with my daughter but will be walking solo this year. I hope I will be as positive as you were – I guess a lot depends on the weather!
Thanks again, maggie
Thanks for popping in Maggie 🙂 I wish you a great walk. Where are you from?
I’m from the UK but living in southern Spain.
I’m from Brazil but live in Australia. Bom caminho 🙂
I am soooo proud of you. Well done!
Love 🙂
Iwona
Olá Val
Que bons momentos partilhamos no caminho! Já estas de regresso ? Mil beijinhos sonia
I’m still in Spain but near Malaga resting in a little resort until Friday. I fly home on Saturday, arrive in Perth on Sunday. It was great to meet you and if you ever come to Australia come and say hello! Lots of love, Val
Hi Val, hope your walk is going well so far.
Hi Jo, great to hear from you. My pilgrimage has been great, despite a few challenges, which only make it even more interesting. 🙂 Hope your trip is also going well for you! Love, Val
HI, Val!!! How are you!!!
Hi Val. I hope you’ve arrived safe and are having a wonderful time. I’m looking forward to your first post on the road. Love, Barney
Have a wonderful trip. Keep safe! Love from Wendy
I so envy you – have a brilliant start – we all will accompanying you in our thoughts – take care