After planning our Camino for several years now, James and I are finally on our way. It’s been a wet La Niña on the east coast of Australia and as we board the train, it’s bucketing down once more. Cool, clear rain to wash away the vestiges of normal life and prepare us for pilgrimage.
It’s been quite a journey just to get here. James and I were booked and excited to fly to Spain in March 2020. We had the all gear and back then James was an excited 13 year old. In The last 2 years he’s grown into a young man. I was worried that when travel once more became an option in 2022, he might not want to spend 6 weeks with his old man walking across Spain. When I mooted the idea at the end of 2021, he was reserved in his agreement to join me.
I was hopeful though, our last big adventure before he has to commit more seriously to study and then chooses to go on adventures of his own. Over the months his enthusiasm has grown. It has meant revisiting outdoor stores like Macpac to get gear for him. But there’s so much joy in planning and scheming for an adventure. As Uncle Pete always says, “every man has one more adventure in him.”
International travel has changed to adapt to COVID. For one thing, the rules around the need for tests evolves daily. Countries demand QR codes upon entry that they will only grant upon adequate evidence that you are a safe traveller. James and I both had PCR tests yesterday and anxiously awaited the results, thankfully negative. All this extra paperwork and stress, but really it’s nothing so that we can experience the privilege of travelling again.
We also realise that we couldn’t be here without the support of family & friends. Thank you!!!!
The Long Camino 