So the feedback you gave me was very encouraging, thank you!
Enough for me to now start giving this some serious consideration.
What I'm thinking is this –
- The Camino Portuguese, starting in Porto.
- Approx 250kms in 2-3 wks. (Would need to lock down a schedule)
- No more than 20kms a day most days.
- Group to be approx 15 people.
- Camino Portuguese is relatively flat and a very beautiful walk.
- http://www.caminoways.com/destinations/camino-de-santiago/portuguese-way—rural-portugal-unspoilt-scenaries.html
- April 2014
- Schedule permitting, Sister Clare would be involved, doing Centering Prayer sessions daily for anyone who wanted to attend.
- I would do daily photographic tutorials, and be available during the walk each day for photographic advice.
- My wife Jennifer would be there as well. She is a “sensitive,” and would be on hand to discuss PGS etc, as would I.
- We would have a mini-bus to drive people to the next stop if they wished.
- Tour costs, yet to be determined, could be structured on a land only basis, or could include international flights and all up cost.
- The tour would go through a registered and experienced travel agent who has done many of these kind of spiritual tours in the past.
- If possible, I would like to try and structure the tour to include a visit to the Bom de Jesus church and grounds in Braga. ( although it's off the traditional Camino route)
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bom_Jesus_do_Monte
- Accommodation would be private albergue standard.
- Ending of course in Santiago, so you could get your Compostela.
Please let me know your thoughts on all this, in particular doing the Camino Portuguese.
Sounds perfect to me, Bill- although you had me scared at first with 20 km a day.! I hope I can walk that far, but I’m glad to see the minivan option, because my health is so unpredictable day to day.
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Hi Sister,
Yes, I think it would be important to have a minivan for just such eventualities.
I’m getting excited about it!
Bill
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I’ve had the Brierley Camino Portugues book since April! I’d been looking at that route as an alternative because of its relative flatness. Not that I couldn’t do Frances of course. Can’t wait to hear more details.
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That’s fabulous.
Jennifer and I took a train down to Porto after I did my Camino. And then stopped in towns along the way back to Santigo.
It’s beautiful country!
Bill
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I’m sitting here, breathing deeply, over and over again … have for as long as I can remember wanted to spend some time in Portugal so it looks as if I’ll just have to ‘adjust’ my 2014 travel plans to make sure I can be there … sounding really good ๐ and I promise you, Sister, that I’m a really slow walker too!!
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Britta,
I think it would be a great walk – and very do-able.
And Sister Clare along would be a treat!
Bill
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Thanks, Britta ! I’m starting to feel more confident knowing that I won’t be the only turtle (fine, outstanding beasts that they are, and my clan -sisters)
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Bill,
I believe I could be very interested in this route with you, Jen, Sister and the other PGS followers. Possibly, the following links will help describe the Camino Portugues to the followers, one from APOC and the other from the Confraternity of Saint James.
http://www.americanpilgrims.com/camino/route_descriptions/route_portuguese.html
http://www.csj.org.uk/route-camino-portugues.htm
The possible side trip to Bom de Jesus sounds wonderful!
Arlene
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Hi Arlene –
sorry, for some reason your comment got held up in my spam filter, so I’ve just “released” it now.
thanks very much for the links – and yes, the side trip could be fascinating. The Bom de Jesus church and grounds and gardens are extraordinary.
Bill
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I would love this! This would be a good first Camino for me. Is it a bit warmer along the Portuguese Camino than the Frances that time of year? Love the van idea since Sister and I share some physical challenges. PS: My son is getting married sometime in June, so the sooner I get dates the better so we can schedule around other festivities. ๐
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Hi Julie –
that sounds terrific, thank you.
First I have to work out the costings though and you’ll need to see if that works for you too.
I’ll begin work on that with Duncan (travel agent) next week.
Bill
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Hi Bill: This sounds marvelous! Unfortunately, I cannot commit until I know how my physical therapy will go. On top of the broken left leg, I now have developed plantar fasciitis in my left foot. I so want to do this! Julie
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Dear Julie –
arghhh – your injuries. I hope they get better fast, and you’re not in too much discomfort.
We will have the mini-van, which will be available each day for people who want to take a breather from walking, or who don’t want to carry their packs.
I don’t see this tour as being like my last walk!!! (i.e., doing it tough!)
But see how you go. It would obviously be lovely to have you along.
Bill
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Okay, you now have my attention! I would love to experience the Portuguese Camino ( of course I still have to finish the Camino de Santiago) but have such an affinity for the Portuguese language and people that I would do that trip first. Steve, are you in?? Xoxo
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I go where you go, unless of course it is to Hawaii………..:-)
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Funny!! Oh well next time we come here together! But I must confess its just too dang humid here. Xoxo
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I think you would find Maui less humid. Kauai might be the most humid.
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Maui it is! Done Kauai and have desire to return there!! ๐
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or England ๐
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Or there!! :-))
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Hi Jill –
wonderful!
First though, let’s figure out the costings and see if that works for you.
Hopefully I’ll have a budget next week some time.
It would be great to meet you though Jill without having to come to Palm Springs!
(very hot there, but from memory they do lovely dates!! ๐ )
Bill
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Very, very hot.
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Would that be the fruit or the guys? Err is that redundant?
Seriously, though it would be amazing to meet you, Jen, Sister et al after all this wonderful repartee.
:-).
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haha –
we do good repartee
Yes, it would be lovely meeting you all too!
Bill
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I’ve only been to Palm Springs once, a while ago now, and I remember all these places selling the most beautiful dates
Or have I got that wrong?
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You are correct! They are the date capital of the US! They even make date shakes which probably have more natural sugar in them then any other shake in the world. A real sugar high!!
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yes, for that kind of desert community, it’s an extraordinary place
Bill
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I wish you hadn’t brought up dates,Bill. Now I have an awful craving and the closest place is an hour from here!!
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The dates that are on sale in Australia all come from California!
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The ones here are from Iran or Jordan.
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Yes, that makes sense.
In Australia we get dates from California, but in Canada you get dates from the Middle East
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PS do the Portuguese do rain like the Spanish people! Haha!!
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Any chance the Portguese people speak French? Its my best second language.
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That would be so nice if they did Sister since its the only language I can kind of speak. Comprendez-vous??
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Moi aussi, c’est la meme chose. Je ne peut pas parler d’espagnol de tout, mais s’il faut, je vais l’apprendre.
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Pardonez-moi mademoiselle. Je parle un peaux francais!! ๐
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Now I am really impressed. Buen Camino ๐
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Mais Jill, tu le parle parfaitement!
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No wonder I haven’t been able to understand her.
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As they say in cricket –
“Let that one go through to the keeper ”
๐
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Touchรฉ
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Merci beaucoup, ma soeur!! ๐
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hi Sister –
I think if you have French as a second language, that would be very handy because often it’s used in Europe outside of France.
The Europeans often can speak multiple languages!
(I have trouble with Australia, English, and American! oh, and Canadian.)
Bill
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Bill, I made it through Africa and Korea speaking just French. It takes a day to pick up the dialect, but French has opened up the world for me. Travel isnt the same if you can’t talk to the locals.
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Hi Sister –
agreed. My daughter has a facility with languages – she can fluently speak four.
I think people with a good musical ear pick up languages more easily –
Bill
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Pity I have to be the exception to that rule!
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it’s not a rule as such – i’ve just noticed it –
but nellie, my daughter, was reading Goethe in German at the age of 16.
Bill
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Hey Jill,
If Steve comes along, it will rain, believe me!
๐
Actually, I’ll need to check the rainfall charts but I don’t think so, because it’s so close to the coast. Jen and I were there straight after we finished our Camino, when you guys were being drenched, and we didn’t have one rainy day in about 2 weeks we were there. The weather was gorgeous, and that was early May.
Bill
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Perhaps you can all chip in and pay me not to come.
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haha –
aren’t llamas pack animals?
Don’t they traditionally take packs up the Andes or something?
you could carry all our backpacks Steve
๐
Bill
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That would cost more…..
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haha –
worth every penny!!
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Never!!!! I love the rain and it wouldn’t be the same without you, Steve
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Aw!! No way, Bill needs a whipping boy! Just joshing!!
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I don’t need anyone to give me a whuppin’
I’ve got my wife
๐
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I guess we will see which one of you two gods rule the rain!! ๐
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Show off ๐
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Jaloux, confrere?
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What a book opportunity! Sounds like a modern Canterbury Tales in the making. I’d love to chronicle the trip, but a solo trip is my priority now.
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Understand – and yes, it would be a fascinating mix of characters!
Bill
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Dibs on the book for this one!
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Please, whatever you do over the next 10 days whilst I’m exploring the night skies between Melbourne, Broken Hill and Sydney – keep a place in the group for me!! I can almost guarantee I’ll have no internet connection at most of the wacky and out-of-the-way places we’ll be going to, so will wait with baited breath to see where these plans are at when I return ๐
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Dear Britta-
Ok, thanks!
I love Broken Hill. In fact it was a toss up whether I’d go to Broken Hill or Hobart for my birthday tomorrow. The art gallery MONA swung me to Hobart.
But Broken Hill at this time of the year is gorgeous. I’ve shot two movies out there – visually it’s spectacular.
Have fun!
Bill
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Bill, whats the time and date where you are?
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Hi Sister –
It’s Saturday Aug 10th, almost midday –
I’m on Australian Eastern Standard Time, which I think is +10hrs from GMT
Bill
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I am trying toots to have us counted in on the plans it seems the process to go meant has changed and I am trying . Mike is in Spain and I am still in Bali so we are now on opposite ends of the earth. But I am quite sure I’d circumstances allow this would be wonderful I am signing under Mikes blog hopping it works as no other way has.
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Well I guess I ended up going through Facebook successfully. And not mikes blog, at any rate that was the 5th try-glad it went. I am thinking things changed with the comment process while I have been out of touch in the less developed areas of Bali. ‘Mike has begun his next 3 week stage on Camino Francis (rambler1959.wordpress.com) anyone wanting to follow him. I will be deciding on wether to join once I return to the USA and get a read on how my sons Sept. wedding plans are doing. Trying to follow my PGS on this and hoping it comes in loud and clear!
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I’ve been away from the computer for only 2 days and look at all the posts. Bill, looks like you are going to have a great bunch of people enjoying your mini Camino, in style too.
It’s not for me. But I sure would love to be a bedbug hitching a ride. Just couldn’t resist.
Ingrid
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Ingrid,
Yes, the response has been strong.
And yes, it would be a fascinating group experience, especially if you were a bed bug!
Bill
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HAHAHAHAHA
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