Celebration

Over the last few days, I have celebrated a great deal in Santiago. First of all we had a few dinners with a few other pilgrims. We laughed and even stayed up past dark(10:30) which is a first after 30 plus days. I can honestly say that I will miss the Camino family. So many great people from around the world. 

Then the next day I went to get my Compeslla. Someone said they were not that excited but it was a paperwork thing. I thought NO WAY! I walked too far. So I jumped up and down, yelled and even got a selfie with a smile. Then I went outside and cheered!  

Then Kathy came and have not stopped smiling. I took her through the cathedral and showed her St. James.  Then I showed her where we walked in and then  the place I fell to my knees in thanks to Papa for getting me there. It was so great to be with Kathy and now we are resting in O Pinto.  

Today we are resting and tomorrow I go to Fisterra which is the place Spain believed to be the end of the world. We hope to walk out with my friends Nicholas and Judith tomorrow. They are walking, I am driving! LOL

WELL it has been great to share this experience with all of you. Thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers. My wife Kathy allowed me to live this dream. My adult children have been my support. My church and the men of Canada, thank you. For those I met and were encouraged, along the Camino thank you. Especially to Nicholas, Judith and Michael! Above all, I want to thank Papa for a new heart.  I hope all of you to enjoy the Camino God has placed before you. I love you all and appreciate your kindness. 

Off to Europe I go!

Buen Camino!

Bill

Wow!

As quickly as it began, the journey is over! No more yellow arrows, no more snoring, no more pilgrim beard(comes off on Weds night when Kathy arrives). About 800 km later and here we are in Santiago! 

It has been over month since leaving St.Jean and climbing the first mountain. Today was a quiet walk of 19 km. we arrived in the Cathedral square and I rejoiced to make it. 

Words are difficult to express the feeling of finishing. Yet over the next 48 hours it will be hard to say good bye to people I have grown, laughed and cried with. But I came to meet with my Lord and He has met with me. 

A new heart was my desire and he has granted my prayer. A new understanding of this world. A new sense of appreciation of family and friends. 

So now for the next part of the Sabbitical. Kathy and I are touring Europe for the next 30 plus days. She arrives Wednesday  at about 4. Looking forward to seeing her soon !! 

Thanks everyone for praying for me and making this an adventure of a lifetime. If you would like any advice or chat about the Camino, drop me a line. 

With much love,

Bill

Will be posting for a few more days!

Santiago Tomorrow

Wow I can't believe I am only 18 km from Santiago. Tomorrow I should be finished at about 11 am. The excitement is building in my heart and my body is saying NO MORE WALKING!  It is hard to believe that I have been walking for over a month now, so much has happened. 

Yesterday I took some time to reflect and listen to Papa's heart.  It was awesome. What thought I had was, I am so glad I listened and came to Spain. 

Have you had a parent proud of you? I sense that from PAPA!  I know I could not have done this journey without his strength and love. Each of you need to know that you played a part when you prayed and encouraged me. Thanks!

Tomorrow will be a special day for Papa and I. Looking forward to the special pilgrim mass and seeing many others that are already done.  

Have a great day and enjoy your community!

Thanks for praying.  No shin splints or blisters. Going into Santiago at full steam of Gods protective care!!

Buen Camino!

Bill

40

Well we have 40 km to go. Even though it is possible to do this tomorrow, we have decided to do it over two nights. It was a nice walk today for 28 km. The path is getting busy with all the tourist.  100's come for the last 100 km and walk mostly with no back packs.  It is great to see them get a taste of the Camino but find it hard because of silly Pilgrim pride! It is great to see so many students from around the world and hopefully they are blessed like me. 

Since we are in the last days, I admit it is about reaching Santiago. The quietness of the trail is gone, music is played, louder than normal conversations and we just keep trekking. 

So I am taking the time to offer thanks to Papa for everything he has done in my life. So much and I know I am going home with a few new perspectives. 

Fear of failure gone. Living in the moment! Value the love of all the people in my life.  Just to name a few. 

Thanks for encouraging me on Facebook and praying for me. You have made all the difference.  

It has been great to walk with you these 760 km!

With much love,

Bill

Rest Day

Well today I am resting  and doing only 18 km.  It sounds funny to say only 18 km when you are use to 30 km. We are in Palas de REI.  Looks like a nice little place with great chocolate donuts!

I walked with two Swedish ladies. It was slow and lots of laughter. We shared stories and visited a church. I told the man I was a Priest and he was very receptive. He didn't understand why I was a Protestant. Spain is very Catholic and really don't understand outsiders. All good because Spainish people are very gracious to other cultures.  

Amazingly enough you meet so many countries that we don't care what country your from.  Very warm and receptive!

We are trekking closer to Santiago and  about 60 km to go. 

Thanks for praying!

Bill

Walking Dead

Well today is about 36 C outside. It was very wet starting out and I ended up at 30 km about 7 hours later.  Very foolish.  I ran out of water and became very dry. Never a good idea.  

Then I became the Walking Dead.  Walking like a Zombie looking for water for 7 km.  Finally arrived and learnt a valuable lesson about heat.  

Of course that is when the Holy Spirit spoke.  How often do we serve in ministry very dry and keep going. Then the walking dead ministry begins. Giving with nothing in the tank.  

Powerful illustration but very painful. For the first time, my feet hurt so much, I cried.  Doesn't sound very manly does it. You walk this far and let me say, it hurts. Just like God hurts when we do things on our own without his help. 

On another note, a friend came for visit last night. It was great to see Darin Dees from a neighbourhood church in London! We are both on Sabbiticals.  So good to see him!

Well for supper I had a burger and fries. Pretty good.  Needed that for comfort after today's session of the Walking dead!

Rethinking and probably only 20 km a day going forward. Santiago on Monday. Lots of time! Kathy arrives on Wednesday!

Thanks for reading and drink lots of Living water today my friends! You don't want to be the walking dead! 

Thanks for praying.  

Bill

Sarria

Well today marks another milestone. We have walked almost 700 km. My poor feet.  I think they hate me.  But we did another 30.  I think we should be in Santiago on Sunday.  I really want to go to church.  Miss it so much over here. 

Today was foggy for most of the day. But we decided to take a shorter run up the mountains again. The sights were stunning again but for fog. I met a nice person from Australia.  It was good to have company. It is fun to meet so many people from around the world.  But before that... 

Leaving today at 5 am. was a challenge. But the moon was full. I had to walk by several hydro towers, a few angry dogs, some dogs that didn't care and I realized how dumb fear really is. 

It was a moment when I thought how I have lived too many years in fear. Fear of failure, fear of future and more! 

So today as I walked and talked with  Papa about this, I experienced gentle peace. I hope this will become my new barometer for living.  Enjoy the moment.  

What can happen at 5 am in Spain?

Buen Camino!

Bill

Love

Well today was a short day of 18 km. one mountain and that was fine with me after yesterday. 

There was a point I was surrounded by mountains. It was an experience. Then I stopped and looked around and had a thought. "Bill you are surrounded by mountains like all the people in your life that loves you". It was so cool. I started thinking of family, my church, men in Canada and many more! I am so blessed. It was one of those moments that I won't forget soon. 

Then I started to think of my Mom In Law. She went to heaven 5 years ago and her last words were "Bill, I love you".  PaPa said to me, I have used her voice over the years to express my love towards you. Great revelation from an amazing woman of God and incredible mom and mothe in law and grandma! Those words burn in my heart. My Mom in law showed me so much love over the years. I miss her today and most others too. She knew how to love in ways I have yet to discover. 

The Camino gives you lots of opportunity to reflect but your heart needs to be open. Lives change on the Camino and I know mine has forever. So blessed to be here. Beyond the pain, it is worth it to spread this adventure with Papa and so many others. 

Well I have to go get my laundry that I washed by hand.  Did I tell you how much I miss my laundry machines!

Hoping to be in Santiago on Sunday for Mass!

Thanks for loving me!

Bill

Extreme Sports

Well today was crazy. We did 26 km over three mountains. It took almost 9 hours. Did I say it was crazy?

So I have climbed a mountain, done an extreme sport and walked a back pack.  Boy this adventure just gets better and better. The mountains were breath taking. We walked through a cloud too!

I have to admit though that I am getting tired. About 150 km to go and missing privacy and fast food.  Being a Pilgrim has been an experience of a lifetime but I am getting tired. 

I was so encouraged today by the Lord as he began to pour move love and peace in my heart. Awesome experience on top of the mountain first peak. 

Well I have a home made Pilgrim meal to craw to.  Have a nice night and thanks for praying!

Love

Bill

Vilafranka

Well today I walked 8 km and ended up in Vilafranka. I saw the mountains and said STOP!  What a beautiful place nestled in the mountains. One thing that is nice about the Camino is that you can stop anytime you want. So I will look at the mountains and climb tomorrow. 

Two friends of mind have invited me into there family and to climb a few peaks. So tomorrow we will take the alternative. That is why I trained and it will be a full day of mountains and climbing.  

Today is Sunday and Spain is very quiet in Sunday. I love resting on Sunday's.  But I miss my honey Kathy and my family. Hard day but I will see her soon. 

This separation has helped me to appreciate her so much. Miss you honey!

Well I need to go stare at a mountain. 

Thanks for praying!

Bill

Snoring

Well I have been walking for 3 plus weeks and there has not been a night(unless I am in hotel) where someone doesn't snore. Most Alberguie are only 5 Euro. You get a bed, shower and 15-20 other people sharing bunk beds. It is amazing that Spain provides such cheap housing but you can't without proving you walked, biked or ride a horse.  The horse comes before the bikes!

The first night I thought wow that was loud. Kathy and I don't snore.   One night I had surround sound. Three people around me. One night there was only one bear and kept everyone else awake.  Quite the experience. 

It is easy to allow the simple things like snoring keep you from enjoying the Camino.  

So each morning we determine not to let others distract us from the goals we have set. 

Today we are staying in a room with three people.  No snoring. Tomorrow we climb Vilafranka.  It will be breath taking people tell me. 

Tomorrow as you gather for worship I hope the Lord blesses you with his presence.  I hope to be on top of a mountain praying for you !

Thanks for praying.  We should be in Santiago a week from Monday. 185 km to go!

Praying with you,

Bill

Cruz de Ferro

Well today was a special day on the Camino. We have the opportunity to walk up to the highest elevation and place a stone from home at the cross. It was incredible to place a burden down at the cross. 

I choose to drop the hurts, habits and hang ups of my special family ALCC. It was a personal and powerful moment. Then I took time to drop something from my life.  Wow! Then two other pilgrims hug me in the state of brokenness. Very special moment.  

You really aren't along on the Camino.  We are here to support each other on the journey.  

Perhaps today you have something you have carried long enough. Give it to Jesus.  Very freeing moment for me. Then I walked in the mountains for hours.  

Thanks for reading this blog and praying for me. We are about 215 km away.  

Walking with you today in the love of PAPA!  

Bill

Turtle

Amazing what happens with your reputation on the Camino. A number of days ago, someone called me a turtle because I go slow with few breaks. One day the turtle beat the hare at the end of the day. Now people say that is Bill from Canada,..strong turtle!

Today the turtle climbed another rock filled mountain. I beat the hare but it wasn't a race.  I gave some thought to being a turtle. Steady and consistent 

As I was climbing I thought of those times I wish I was more steady and consistent. I would have moved less, listen more to God than people and remained focus. Climbing 5 km straight up almost killed me but the turtle made it!

I like being a turtle.  

What about you?

Turtling along the Camino!

Enjoy these views! Tomorrow we are at highest elevation. A cross is there. Hope to video tape. 

Thanks for praying. Shin splints are quiet! 

Wow, thanks PAPA! 240 km to go!

Bill

Love

Well today I walked 33 km. I ventured off and ended up by the hi way.  I was unsure what I did but kept walking. So I thought I cant get lost or Kathy will tease me to no end. 

Then some bikes came up and I asked.  Officially they said no I wasn't lost but on the original Camino. I learnt that the each year the trail can change. Nobody told me!

So 33 km later I am in Astronga.  What a beautiful little city. The atmosphere on the Camino is always celebratory. Glad to be done for another day and good to be with friends!

Today I was overwhelmed thinking of all the support of so many. A loving family, caring church and many men across Canada. Most of all I was moved by the distint love of God. 

Then it hit me, I am never lost!

Thanks for praying!

Grateful for you and your love,

Bill