Today Jennifer and I leave our home in Mudgee and begin a journey that will most probably not have us home again for four months.
Countries that we will visit are:
United States (45 cities)
Canada (3 cities)
Germany (10 cities approx)
Austria
Switzerland
Denmark
Norway
United Kingdom (15 cities approx)
Ireland (3-5 cities approx)
back to Canada
Malta
Whew. It makes my head spin just writing it down.
We are of course doing a roadshow of The Way, My Way. We have our first screening in Phoenix this Friday, and already it’s all but sold out.
I’ll be blogging here, if not every day then near as I can – and for updates on screenings etc check in here.
I’ll also be using a trip-tracker app called Polarsteps. If you want to follow our journey just download the app and search my name.
How do Jennifer and I feel about it?
We’re excited. Excited to meet new people and renew old friendships. We’re excited to see new places – like Denmark & Norway – and Malta especially! And we’re excited to be bringing the film to a wider audience.
Really, how privileged are we?
I can’t quite believe my life has taken this turn – and it all started by my walking the Camino in 2013.
Hey y’all! (See how I’m getting into the US lingo!)
We have some details confirmed on cinemas and ticketing links for our North American tour. It’s by no means complete at this stage, but our distributors Outsider Pictures and Paul Hudson are doing their best to get this sorted as quickly as possible.
Jennifer and I will be at all these screenings, answering questions after the film – and we’ll be joined by Camino legend Johnnie Walker from Feb 28th onwards, at our screenings in New York then across Canada and down the west coast of the US.
So here’s what’s confirmed so far. I’ll update this as more cinemas come online:
Obviously there are a lot of cinemas yet to be locked in, but this is what’s confirmed so far. Please show the exhibitors that there’s demand for this film and buy your tickets now. That way, we have a chance of this film having a life in North America!
It’s less than 3 weeks now before Jennifer and I begin our first screening on our mammoth Q&A tour across the US & Canada, starting in Phoenix AZ on January 31st.
Please remember, the film opens in general release on March 7th – and it will screen in every town and city where there’s an American Pilgrims on the Camino chapter, and a chapter of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims in Canada.
This Q&A tour is a whistle stop 47 screenings in 54 days – a cross section of venues. We’d love to visit more places but there just simply isn’t the time.
And just to clarify – the Q&A screenings include a screening of the film with a 30-45min Question & Answer session after the film – with Jennifer and myself, and with Johnnie Walker as well for the 2nd half of the tour.
So here’s the most recent schedule – it’s going to be tough on Jen and myself, and Johnnie, all the travel – but we’re going to have a blast!
The Way, My Way had its US premiere at the Palm Springs International Film Festival yesterday.
Jennifer and I couldn’t be there, so I asked ChatGPT what the reaction was, and this is what it came back with:
The film “The Way, My Way” received positive reviews at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Critics and audience members appreciated its authentic storytelling and uplifting spirit. The movie is a charming true story about an Australian man walking the Camino de Santiago, which resonated with viewers through its mix of humor and emotional depth.
Key Highlights:
Praised for its authentic representation of the Camino pilgrimage
Enjoyed the unique blend of actors and real pilgrims in the film
Appreciated the film’s exploration of personal transformation
Noted for its stunning landscapes and genuine character development.
One reviewer noted the film’s success in capturing the human connections and personal journey of the Camino, describing it as “thoroughly entertaining” and inspiring. The movie’s approach of mixing documentary-style filmmaking with narrative storytelling was particularly well-received.
In Australia it’s New Year’s Day. A time when a lot of people make New Year’s Day resolutions.
You don’t need to! Most New Year’s Day resolutions fall by the wayside within weeks.
I’ve discovered you can change your life any day of the year. It doesn’t have to be the day that starts a new year – It can be any day.
You just have to set the intention.
In November of last year, 2024, I set myself a November Challenge. That’s what I called it. My November challenge consisted of:
– a walk of 45mins or more each day, every day of the month. – No added salt to my food. – No processed sugar, in particular chocolate.
I would do this just for a month, that’s all – and after the month I could go back to my salty/chocolatey/lazy ways again, if I wished to.
Just a month.
I stuck to the challenge and got through November.
In December I found that I had no desire to go back to my salty/chocolatey/lazy ways, so I modified it a bit – – 45 mins walk or indoor bike 6 days a week. – processed sugar was okay if it was in a home made dish made with love.
The interesting thing is, with that November challenge I broke two entrenched habits and established a new one.
I broke the habit of pouring salt onto anything I ate, regardless of whether the food needed salt or not. And I haven’t had any chocolate since the start of the challenge. And I’ve kept the pledge to myself of doing a minimum of 45mins walk/indoor bike 6 days a week.
I think the trick to it was to set myself a finite goal – one month. And I told myself I could revert to my old ways after a month. But I discovered I didn’t want to. Then I modified my lifestyle choices according to the long term sustainability of it all.
Anyway, I just thought I’d put that out there. You can change your life any day of the year!
Wishing you all everything good and wonderful and joyful this year –
PGS - The Way 
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