Boots to Bliss

by Claude Tranchant

On her 64th birthday, Claude Tranchant started a journey from Vezelay in the Burgundy region, France and she put her feet for the first time on the medieval path of Saint James – ‘The Way’. She walked across France, over the Pyrenees, through the northern part of Spain along the Camino Frances as far as Santiago de Compostela. From there, she kept on walking and finished at Muxia in the north-west of Galicia (Spain). In all Claude covered 2500 kilometres, alone, over 100 days and was known along ‘The Way’ as ‘Claude the Australian’.

Boots to Bliss traces her epic journey, describes the ever changing landscapes she covered, the historic places she visited and how she found spiritual and emotional bliss along the way.

Anybody contemplating the same journey will find in this book hints about accommodation, places that should not be missed, where to obtain assistance, and a wealth of other information to make the journey easier

Genres: Memoir, Travel, Nonfiction

474 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2012

Reviews

[Matthew Sedlak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karma overload!!!

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a trek you go in with this lady. Quite an amazing walk along with a pilgrim on a life changing journey.
I did in a way feel that I was walking along with her and I am in awe of her determination and endurance. The lady is obviously a person of deep faith in her chosen religion and the I respect her beliefs even though they are not my own.
I have heard of many folk who talk of this historic pilgrimage and several who have walked some of its paths. I admit I have only come across two who have walked the entirety, one being Paul Coelho and this lady, and both have the teachings and practices of the RC church in their very being to step the way of the saint on this pilgrimage.
Good on all the pilgrims if that is what they want or need to experience or change their path in life.
I don't think it is a walk I will feel the need to step in this lifetime though.
Enjoyed the read and I imagine some other life journeyers will also, but not for every reader

[Jacqui Clarke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was compelled to keep reading this book, just as the author was compelled to walk the Camino alone at age 64 and starting in France - much longer than the average walker would complete. An incredible feat to be sure and she obviously suffered physically during this arduous journey.
Maybe it was just her style of writing but there was quite a lot of repetition as she passed through villages and along the trail and not much depth to the story, which at times, left me feeling I wasn't getting the whole picture and that something was missing or unfinished. I also felt Claude was rather presumptuous with many of the pilgrims she came across on the trail and wrote too often about her own assumed 'gift' of healing those she came across.
I had read many positive reviews of 'Boots to Bliss' before I began reading, so I suggest if you're attracted to the subject, give it a go as the Camino is often a spiritual journey as much as a test of endurance.

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting memoir about the author's very long Camino (from near Paris - much further than most people go). Quite an achievement to complete such a trip by herself. This self published book is quite well written, and my copy is from the 8th print, so it's selling well, though an editor at a publishing company would certainly have reduced the length - 500 pages is too long.
She finds the hiking in nature to be the most personally beneficial - the long sections next to busy main roads, the multiple snoring people keeping her awake in some of the dorms, and the sheer volume of people (especially when she gets to Spain, and it was a year when St. James' birthday is believed to fall on Sunday so extra people because of that) really try her patience, but the religious aspect of The Way make it up for her.
Definitely worth reading, and good to support the author who hiked so far, at the age of 64, then published her memories herself.

[Sandra Heinzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this Camino journey book, especially since it started on Vezelay, France, a route not often written about. Claude is one of my heroes and inspirations for walking the Camino. She walked her first at age 64; I’m walking mine in 3 more months at age 70, also alone. But I’ll be walking just the Camino Francés, for 60 days.

Claude walked with a very heavy backpack, had severe foot issues, but she persevered. I hope she will be MY inspiration to not give up, too, when it gets tough.

I loved the people she met along the way, the “coincidences” she encountered, the relationships she developed, and how people were drawn to her.

I have bought many Camino books, read many of them, but this is definitely one of my favorites. She describes the scenery, the route, her personal journey, her thoughts, and her takeaways so well! I will be reading her second book soon, too!

[Terry McHugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible journey

There is a story about three dogs making an incredible journey home. This story is also an incredible journey home as I felt especially as the author walked through France, that she was traveling home. At the same age, I set out on my first camino but it was nothing compared to Claude's. I would never have had the courage to start in France. Along the way, she pulls many memories from my heart, feelings that she expresses are so familiar to me. When Claude arrives in Santiago, she brought tears to my eyes. Meeting Michele was such a striking moment, that I could picture it clearly and I shed a tear. When she met Marissa and had her feet washed I cried again. There is only one way to finish this review. With another tear. 'Bravo, little one'

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed account of one woman’s journey walking long distances from Vezelay in France to what was once described as the end of the world at Cape Finisterre in Spain.
It is a fascinating story that follows French born “Claude the Australian” on her pilgrimage of self-discovery along medieval paths through changing landscapes.
Claude makes many connections and discusses spirituality with other pilgrims and acquaintances during her weeks on the Way of St James.
The descriptions of scenery and surroundings give a real sense of place from lush green fields to hot barren plains and cool centuries-old churches and lodgings.
This book is recommended reading if you’re considering challenging yourself to complete the Camino.

[Katische Haberfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 stars for guts and courage to do such a trek solo. If you’re looking for a Reese Witherspoon/Cheryl Strayed adventure this is not your book. This book is more like a journal detailing the daily walk of the Camino- jammed packed with all the things you need to know if you want to walk it yourself.

It was touching and interesting and I even cried at the end but I would have loved for some back story about Claude to be woven in.

All in all a marvellous achievement- makes me want to put my hiking boots on again.

[Michelle Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boots to Bliss was a really enjoyable and inspiring read.

I liked how Claude shared not just the journey itself, but the small moments along the way the landscapes, the people, and what it felt like walking alone for such a long distance. It made the whole experience feel real and personal.

I also appreciated the practical tips throughout the book. They didn’t feel forced, just helpful and genuine.

Overall, it’s a thoughtful and honest story, and it definitely made me see the Camino in a different way.

[Jenn]

A remarkable achievement but I didn't really enjoy reading this after the first 100 pages. I think I only enjoy memoirs when there is a narrative or theme. I am not sure what the narrative is here. For a book about one person's experience we hear a little about their childhood but very little else. Totally the prerogative of the author but I expect a memoir to reveal something. If not of themselves then the path. Or ideally both.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a map person, I sorely missed the book not having any for reference. Would have loved to follow the journey that way seeing just where each area she describes is. Otherwise, I did overall enjoy the pilgrimage and found the last couple of chapters the most interesting. Glad she continued beyond Santiago de Compostela as the history of Cabo Fisterra and that area was amazing.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring journey! I loved the idea of setting out on such a remarkable adventure at 64 and discovering so much along the way. The descriptions of the landscapes, historic places, and spiritual growth make this feel like more than a travel memoir. It’s a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to challenge yourself, embrace new experiences, and find a deeper sense of purpose.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read inspirational as well as entertaining

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a day to day recording of the author's journey along the Camino de Santiago.Unlike many pilgrims, she started in Vezelay, France, making her walk approximately 2500 km instead of 790 km for those who walk from the French border with Spain. Although she has lived in Australia since she was 33, she was born and raised in France so she chose to begin her pilgrimage (at age 64) there. She is very open about the physical difficulty of the walk, and also about her spiritual journey. Even though she has lived half her life in an English speaking country there are a few clues in her language that she is not a native English speaker, but it is still perfectly readable. Painful at times, uplifting at others, this is a good representative narrative of someone for whom the Camino is a true pilgrimage.

[Bruce Wadd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully delightful journey of highs and lows, of courage and love, of people and solitude, of joy and deep transformation. Its the kind of book you begin and just cant put down till the final chapter is complete. Having now met Claude, I can understand why the book overflows with gracious love... That is who she is.

[KC Rosello · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very enjoyable read. Can't believe how detailed the author was in describing the places she walked through and stopped at. I love the way she includes historical events. I do admire the author.

[Corinna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Claude Tranchant has a beautiful writing style and I felt like I walked along the journey with her. This is not so much a retelling of the physical walk she did, but an experience of the emotional and spiritual journey she took.
It was a beautiful story and I'm so glad she shared it.