Tag Archives: Camino de Santiago

The Way, My Way – US & Canada Q&A Tour – UPDATED

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Here is an updated list of screenings on our US and Canada Q&A Tour, as of Feb 15.

Please remember that the film opens in general release on March 7, so even though your town or city may not be on this list, the film becomes available in cinemas across the US and Canada on March 7.

Camino legend Johnnie Walker will be joining us on the tour – arriving into New York on Feb 27 and doing Q&As after screenings with us right the way through to March 23rd.

Also please note that this is not going to be available on Netflix or any other streamer in the foreseeable future. Sorry. But if you want to see this movie you’ll have to go see it in a cinema. But if I can humbly say: it’s worth it! The film is a big screen experience. It really puts you on the Camino.

So here’s the list.
There’s still a lot of gaps, but we’re filling these as fast as we can –

15-FebOrlando7:00 pmRegal Pointe Orlando
16-FebMiami2:00 pmAMC Aventura Mall
17-FebMiami5:30 pmCoral Gables Art Cinema
18-FebCincinnati7:00 pmAMC Newport on the Levee
19-FebColumbus6:30 pmGateway Film Center
20-FebIndianapolis7:00 pmAMC Indianapolis 17
21-FebChicago South7:00pmMarcus Orland Park 
22-FebChicago North (19)7:00 pmWayfarer Theatre Highland Park
23-FebMilwaukee3:00pmMarcus Ridge Cinemas. New Berlin
25-FebWashingtonTBCAngelika Pop Up
26-FebArlington6:30 pmAMC Shirlington 7
27-FebLong Island5:30 pmIsland 16 Cinema de Lux
27-FebLong Island7:00 pmCinema Arts Center
28-FebNew York7:00 pmEmpire 25 234 W 42nd Street
1-MarOttawa 6:15 pmByTowne Cinema
2-MarToronto2:oopmCineplex Yonge-Dundas
3-MarVancouver TBC
4-MarSeattle TBC
5-MarPortland7:30 pmAlberta Rose Theatre (TBC).
6-MarLos Angeles (Beverly Hills)7:30 pmLumiere at the Music Hall. Beverly Hills
7-MarLos Angeles (Santa Monica)TBCLaemmle. Santa Monica
8-MarAMC Orange tbc
8-MarRegal Aliso Viejo7:00 pmRegal Edwards Aliso Viejo
9-MarLaemmle Claremont TBC
10-MarRest day TBC
11-MarOjai TBC
12-MarSanta Barbara TBC
13-MarSan Luis Obispo7:00 pmPalm Theatre
14-MarSan Jose TBC
15-MarSan Rafael7:00pmRafael Film Center
16-MarSan Francisco2:00 pmSports Basement/Presidio
16-MarBerkeley TBC
17-MarTBC TBC
18-MarSan Rafael TBC
19-MarSonoma  TBC
20-MarSacramento  Tower Theatre
21-MarTBC TBC
22-MarLake Tahoe2.00pmTBC
23-MarMODESTOTBCTBC

 

A new book coming soon!

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Very soon I’ll be publishing a new book – it’s called:

The Way, My Way –
Posts from a BLOG
that became a BOOK
that became a FILM.

Catchy title huh?

It’s a compilation of all the posts I wrote on my blog leading up to, during, and after my first Camino, and posts from my second Camino, the Portuguese Camino.

It has an incredible amount of detail about the two walks, including some wonderful photos. It includes multiple “audits,” analysis and breakdowns of gear, personal insights, what I did right, what I did wrong, etc.

Here’s the front cover – it’ll be up on Amazon in a week or so. I’ll let you know when it’s available –

The Way, My Way – Texas all but sold out ~

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The Q&A tour that Jennifer and I are currently doing is going surprisingly well –

  • 10th Feb – Dallas. 90% sold out. (It will sell out by the screening date.)
  • 11th Feb – Austin – SOLD OUT.
  • 12th Feb – San Antonio – SOLD OUT
  • 13th Feb – Houston – SOLD OUT.

Jennifer and I fly into Dallas on Sunday the 9th and we’ve been invited to a Super Bowl party.

How cool is that?

Today driving through from Santa Fe to Pueblo on our way to a screening in Denver tomorrow night (93% sold out so far) – we drove through some magnificent country in Colorado.

We had lunch at Del’s Diner. It was such a wonderful place – and my Bacon Cheeseburger (hold the cheese, please) was delicious.

Yesterday at the screening in Santa Fe I met up with a Facebook friend who many years ago contacted me, after having read my book, asking to buy a particular photograph featured in the book.

I said I wouldn’t sell it to him – I gave it to him – and a friendship developed from that time on. We met for the first time yesterday at the screening. His name is Troy Buckleiter. He runs a very prominent art gallery in Santa Fe – and our friendship took a quantum leap yesterday.

That’s the power of the Camino.

Day 5 Q&A tour / US & Canada

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Well, I’m a-standin’ on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
Such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford
Slowin’ down to take a look at me

Come on, baby, don’t say maybe
I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me
We may lose and we may win
Though we will never be here again
So open up, I’m climbin’ in
So take it easy…

The iconic song, written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Fry – Take it Easy – the song more commonly known as sung by The Eagles.

I stood on that corner today –

Jennifer and I stopped in Winslow on our way from Flagstaff through to Albuquerque tomorrow, and a screening tomorrow night.

Had lunch at La Posada – an historic hotel in Winslow –

And then stayed overnight at the (again, historic) El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, a town which has been the base for a lot of classic westerns.

The screening in Albuquerque tomorrow is filling up fast – here’s a link for tickets:
https://www.harkins.com/movies/the-way-my-way-with-qa/2025-02-02

And Santa Fe the day after looks like it’s going to be another sell-out.
https://santafe.violetcrown.com/movie/VC002247

I wrote yesterday about grabbing those moments of joy when they capriciously appear – well. this today was one such moment –

Today we begin our journey ~

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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.

The Way My Way Q&A Tour – tickets now on sale!

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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:

31 January – Phoenix / 6:30pm
AMC DINE-IN Desert Ridge 18. 21001 N Tatum Blvd Ste 32, Phoenix, AZ 85050
+1 480-606-0806
https://www.amctheatres.com/showtimes/129219647/seats

1st February – Sedona / 1pm & 4pm
Mary D. Fisher Theatre
2030 W. State Route 89A, Suite A-3
https://prod5.agileticketing.net/WebSales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=459193~e8932fbb-a9ae-4437-a638-ff0cf1793527&epguid=f7b94766-699c-4aa0-9f9b-8245a9cefc05&

2nd February – Flagstaff / 5pm
Harkins Theatres Flagstaff 16. 4751 E Marketplace Dr, Flagstaff
Phone: +1 928-233-3005
Ticket link to come

4th February – Albuquerque / 7pm
Regal Cinemas Cottonwood
10000 Coors Byp NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
+1 505-897-5919
https://www.regmovies.com/movies/the-way-my-way-qa-ho00018046?id=240962&site=1307&date=02-04-2025

5th February – Santa Fe / 7pm
Violet Crown Santa Fe. 1606 Alcaldesa St, Santa Fe
+1 505-216-5678
https://santafe.violetcrown.com/movie/VC002247

7th February – Denver / 7pm
Regal Cinemas River Point 3565 S Platte River Dr, Sheridan
https://www.regmovies.com/movies/the-way-my-way-qa-ho00018046

8th February – Nth Denver / Boulder / Flat Iron Crossing / 5:30pm
AMC Flatiron Crossing 14, 61 W Flatiron Crossing Dr, Broomfield
https://www.amctheatres.com/showtimes/129400919/seats

10th February – Dallas / 5:30pm
AMC The Parks @ Arlington 18
https://www.amctheatres.com/showtimes/129400527/seats

11th February – Austin / TBC

12th February – San Antonio / TBC
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Park North 618 NW Loop 410, Ste 307, San Antonio
+1 210-729-9293
https://drafthouse.com/san-antonio/event/live-q-a-the-way-my-way?showSeats=true

13th February – Houston / TBC

16th February – Miami / 2pm
Aventura Mall
https://www.amctheatres.com/showtimes/129400833/seats

26th February – Arlington VA / 6:30pm
AMC Shirlington 7
https://www.amctheatres.com/showtimes/129400736/seats

21st March – Lake Tahoe/Carson City / 2pm
Galaxy Carson City. 4000 S. Curry St., Carson City
+1 888-407-9874
https://www.galaxytheatres.com/movie/CarsonCity/THE-WAY-MY-WAY

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!









The Way, My Way – US & Canada update ~

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I can’t believe that Q&A screenings start in Phoenix and Sedona in less than ten days –
Yikes!

Jennifer and I will be at all these Q&A screenings.
If you want to buy tickets, I’d suggest you move fast!

• • Phoenix: Desert Ridge cinema Friday 31 January, 6:30pm – https://www.amctheatres.com/showtimes/129219647/seats

• • Sedona: Mary D Fisher theatre Saturday 1st February / 1:00pm and 4pm – https://prod5.agileticketing.net/WebSales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=459193~e8932fbb-a9ae-4437-a638-ff0cf1793527&epguid=f7b94766-699c-4aa0-9f9b-8245a9cefc05&

Details for Flagstaff, Albuquerque and Santa Fe are coming.

Here’s the most recent Q&A screening schedule:

BB = BILL BENNETT    
JC = JENNIFER CLUFF    
JW = JOHNNIE WALKER    
DATEDAYSTATECITY / TOWNATTENDING
31-Jan-25FridayAZPhoenixBB JC
01-Feb-25SaturdayAZSedonaBB JC
02-Feb-25SundayAZFlagstaffBB JC
03-Feb-25Monday TRAVELBB JC
04-Feb-25TuesdayNMAlbuquerqueBB JC
05-Feb-25WednesdayNMSanta FeBB JC
06-Feb-25Thursday TRAVELBB JC
07-Feb-25FridayCODenverBB JC
08-Feb-25SaturdayCOFlatIron CrossingBB JC
09-Feb-25SundayTXREST DAYBB JC
10-Feb-25MondayTXDallasBB JC
11-Feb-25TuesdayTXAustinBB JC
12-Feb-25WednesdayTXSan AntonioBB JC
13-Feb-25ThursdayTXHoustonBB JC
14-Feb-25FridayFLJacksonvilleBB JC
15-Feb-25SaturdayFLOrlandoBB JC
16-Feb-25SundayFLMiamiBB JC
17-Feb-25MondayFLMiamiBB JC
18-Feb-25TuesdayOHCincinattiBB JC
19-Feb-25WednesdayOHDaytonBB JC
20-Feb-25Thursday   INIndianapolisBB JC
21-Feb-25FridayILSouth BendBB JC
22-Feb-25SaturdayILChicagoBB JC
23-Feb-25SundayWIMilwaukeeBB JC
24-Feb-25Monday TRAVELBB JC
25-Feb-25TuesdayDCWashington DCBB JC
26-Feb-25WednesdayVAArlingtonBB JC
27-Feb-25ThursdayNYNew YorkBB JC JW
28-Feb-25FridayNYLong IslandBB JC JW
01-Mar-25SaturdayCANADAOttowaBB JC JW
02-Mar-25SundayCANADATorontoBB JC JW
03-Mar-25MondayCANADAVancouverBB JC JW
04-Mar-25TuesdayWASeattleBB JC JW LB
05-Mar-25WednesdayORPortlandBB JC JW
06-Mar-25ThursdayCALos AngelesBB JC JW
07-Mar-25FridayCALos AngelesBB JC JW
08-Mar-25SaturdayCALos AngelesBB JC JW
09-Mar-25SundayCAPasadenaBB JC JW
10-Mar-25MondayCAOrange CountyBB JC JW
11-Mar-25TuesdayCAOjaiBB JC JW
12-Mar-25WednesdayCASanta BarbaraBB JC JW
13-Mar-25ThursdayCASan Lois ObispoBB JC JW
14-Mar-25FridayCASan JoseBB JC JW
15-Mar-25SaturdayCAAlamedaBB JC JW
16-Mar-25SundayCABerkeleyBB JC JW
17-Mar-25MondayCAREST DAYBB JC JW
18-Mar-25TuesdayCAREST DAYBB JC JW
19-Mar-25WednesdayCASan RafaelBB JC JW
20-Mar-25ThursdayCASonomaBB JC JW
21-Mar-25FridayCACarson CityBB JC JW
22-Mar-25SaturdayCAModestoBB JC JW
23-Mar-25SundayCATRAVELBB JC JW
24-Mar-25Monday TRAVELBB JC JW

Updated US / Canada Q&A Tour schedule

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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!

     
BB = BILL BENNETT    
JC = JENNIFER CLUFF    
JW = JOHNNIE WALKER    
DATEDAYSTATECITY / TOWNATTENDING
31-Jan-25FridayAZPhoenixBB JC
01-Feb-25SaturdayAZSedonaBB JC
02-Feb-25SundayAZFlagstaffBB JC
03-Feb-25Monday TRAVELBB JC
04-Feb-25TuesdayNMAlbuquerqueBB JC
05-Feb-25WednesdayNMSanta FeBB JC
06-Feb-25Thursday TRAVELBB JC
07-Feb-25FridayCODenverBB JC
08-Feb-25SaturdayCOBoulderBB JC
09-Feb-25SundayTXDallasBB JC
10-Feb-25MondayTXAustinBB JC
11-Feb-25TuesdayTXAustinBB JC
12-Feb-25WednesdayTXSan AntonioBB JC
13-Feb-25ThursdayTXHoustonBB JC
14-Feb-25FridayFLJacksonvilleBB JC
15-Feb-25SaturdayFLOrlandoBB JC
16-Feb-25SundayFLMiamiBB JC
17-Feb-25MondayFLMiamiBB JC
18-Feb-25TuesdayOHCincinattiBB JC
19-Feb-25WednesdayOHDaytonBB JC
20-Feb-25Thursday   INIndianapolisBB JC
21-Feb-25FridayILChicagoBB JC
22-Feb-25SaturdayILChicagoBB JC
23-Feb-25SundayWIMilwaukeeBB JC
24-Feb-25Monday TRAVELBB JC
25-Feb-25TuesdayDCWashington DCBB JC
26-Feb-25WednesdayVAArlingtonBB JC
27-Feb-25ThursdayNYNew YorkBB JC JW
28-Feb-25FridayNYLong IslandBB JC JW
01-Mar-25SaturdayCANADAOttawaBB JC JW
02-Mar-25SundayCANADATorontoBB JC JW
03-Mar-25MondayCANADAVancouverBB JC JW
04-Mar-25TuesdayWASeattleBB JC JW LB
05-Mar-25WednesdayORPortlandBB JC JW
06-Mar-25ThursdayCALos AngelesBB JC JW
07-Mar-25FridayCALos AngelesBB JC JW
08-Mar-25SaturdayCALos AngelesBB JC JW
09-Mar-25SundayCAPasedenaBB JC JW
10-Mar-25MondayCAOrange CountyBB JC JW
11-Mar-25TuesdayCAOjaiBB JC JW
12-Mar-25WednesdayCASanta BarbaraBB JC JW
13-Mar-25ThursdayCASan Lois ObispoBB JC JW
14-Mar-25FridayCASan JoseBB JC JW
15-Mar-25SaturdayCAAlamedaBB JC JW
16-Mar-25SundayCABerkeleyBB JC JW
17-Mar-25MondayCAREST DAYBB JC JW
18-Mar-25TuesdayCAREST DAYBB JC JW
19-Mar-25WednesdayCASan RafaelBB JC JW
20-Mar-25ThursdayCASonomaBB JC JW
21-Mar-25FridayCALake Tahoe BB JC JW
22-Mar-25SaturdayCAModestoBB JC JW
23-Mar-25SundayCATRAVELBB JC JW
24-Mar-25Monday TRAVELBB JC JW

Reaction to US Premiere at Palm Springs Film Festival.

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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.

You don’t need New Year’s Day Resolutions ~

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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 –