Walking Back to Happiness

by Christine Palmer

The inspirational story of one woman's journey along the ancient and beautiful Camino De Santiago, in search of some peace of mind, a fitter body, and a great tan As a 50-something woman whose children had flown the nest, Christine Palmer found herself wanting to rediscover her lust for life and lose some of the pounds she'd gained. With old gym shoes, a new diet, and a revitalized sense of adventure, Christine embarks on an "accidental pilgrimage," walking 850kms from St Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Over the course of her charmingly narrated journey, she reflects on diets, exercise, relationships, and life in general, while hoping to fit back into a beautiful white Bellini top that had been languishing at the back of her closet for longer than she cared to remember.

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2011

Reviews

[Liralen · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I'd thought I was more or less done reading Camino books, at least for the time being, but then immediately after I walked the Camino, I found two more memoirs about it—this and On Foot to the End of the World—that I'd never heard of. Sooo that happened.)

Palmer's first Camino was a relaxed one. She was used to walking, if not this kind of long-distance-stay-in-albergues walking, and better—she already liked walking. The title's rather misleading, mind: this was a break from Palmer's normal life, yes, but a normal life that Palmer was already pretty happy with. She did want to lose some weight, but she writes about this part of her Camino in such a matter-of-fact manner that I'd be hard-pressed to think that weight was standing between her and 'happiness'.

But 'happier', maybe. This was Palmer's first Camino, but it wasn't her last, and she's done other long-distance walks since then. So certainly she found some extra kind of happiness. I was actually a bit sad for her, that one of her weight-loss no-nos was coffee: the café con leche in Spain was excellent. But it's a satisfying read, regime and all; she's direct and always ready to see the humour in a situation. Good fun.

[Elizabeth Schlatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is like a nice Pinot Grigio — not for kids, but light and feels like a treat at the end of the day. It grows on you — starts off a bit disappointing when you read that the author planned the trek largely to lose weight. But then she becomes a charming narrator, weaving in stories and memories just like daydreams that occur when you run or walk. And I especially liked the references and reminiscences to things that seem utterly British —some of which I had to Google, like a liberation vest (which sounds cozy), or mashed peas (which sound awful). Definitely makes me want to consider treks, although nothing like the Camino De Santiago.

[ELAINE CAMPBELL-CASSIER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud at this book, I walked with her in every page, I slowed down my reading at the end as I didn't want it to finish, I waited a couple of months and read it again...such a heart warming story of real life.Bravo

[Jamie Hochmuth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially thought that this would be another simple weight-loss story. Instead, I read a wonderful account of how one woman found herself through walking an old pilgrimage path. Christine Palmer does a great job keeping the reader interested the whole way, as well as detailing her struggles and joys, and letting us in on a few secrets.