Caminho Português

The adventure begins

We are poised to begin. We've been anticipating this pilgrimage since reaching Finisterra three years ago and realising we had more walking to do. This time we plan to journey north from Lisbon along the lesser walked Portuguese way to Santiago de Compostela, and then (after transfer ing to France) from the old Benedictine monastery in Cluny to the cathedral in Le Puy, a total distance of 950kms. 

*****

To prepare physically, we've been walking around Lake Ginninderra. It hasn't always been easy to get out there but we were never disappointed, even when it was freezing, dark, windy and wet. 

We've born witness to the slow changing of the seasons, from the frosty starkness of mid-winter to the recent budding of the willows - a harbinger of spring. Some days we were shrouded in mist and on others it was crystal clear - always it has been beautiful. 

This past week, signs of new life have been everywhere.

To the pilgrim eye, these moorhen footprints resemble arrows pointing the way. These birds surely show us a thing or two about life.

What a privilege to have such a beautiful place so close to home.

Another significant path for us is the stretch of the Canberra Centenary Trail that traces the Murrumbidgee River from Pine Island in the Tuggeranong Valley. 

Symbolically, this is where our last camino began, and it felt important to return here before we departed. Last Monday, we grabbed our packs and headed south... 

The sun shone and the river gurgled; frogs croaked, wattles were in full bloom and birds were singing - it was a gem of a day. 

In a couple of weeks these trees will be in full leaf...

and this peregrina will be struggling to bend at all!!!

I think these two roos were admiring my new Tilley hat, a gift from Ken, a Canadian camino friend that I had the pleasure of catching up with recently.

These yellow arrows (flechas) are what guided our way on the camino Frances. I'm not sure why this one is here, maybe just a reminder that we are already 'on the way'.

In his poem, For the Traveller, John O'Donohue reminds us that 'a journey can become a sacred thing' and offers the wisdom: 'make sure, before you go, to take the time to bless your going forth'. On this walk we were blessed by the land and the animals we encountered. We're also grateful for the words of blessing we received from our Benedictus community last night (thanks Karina):

Historically, when a member of a community went travelling,
they went not only for themselves but for everyone,
charged with retuning with news and abundant riches to share.
And so as you leave us for your travels,
we trust that you go for all of us,
that you carry us in our hearts as we will hold you in ours.

We trust that you will bring back abundant though invisible riches
to share with this, your community,
riches of spirit that will become visible in the life of the community
as we learn from your learning and share in the wisdom of your gleanings.

We have listened to your plans and offer these words:

May logistics be smooth and flights deliver you on time to the correct destinations.
May your shoes be strong and your packs be light.
May your socks stay cushioned and your feet land gently.
May the hospitality of local soup and bread and cheese appear at exactly the right times.
May fragrant coffee, fresh fruits and handmade chocolates surprise you.
May your raincoats be either unnecessary or excellent.
May comfortable beds be at the end of every day's road ‘and bedbugs far from you' (added by Neil an Sarah!!)
May you have companions and conversation to cheer you, inspire you and encourage you along this pilgrim way.

May you trust that each day will hold all you need for your outer and inner journeys.

May you have faith in the pathway,

hope in the rhythm of your steps, 

joy (or at least a sense of humour) in all you experience,

and comfort in the knowledge of both the energetic love of God

and the affectionate love of your community at home.

We hope you can follow along via the blog and even offer a comment from time to time. Inspired by our friend, Kate, who recently returned from the camino Frances, we're going to try writing a daily haiku as a way of capturing something of our experience. We hope some might respond in kind. 

Old ways are beckoning;

Preparations made.

Take a step pilgrim. Go!