TWO FEET ON THE CAMINO: A Doonhamer's Epic 500 mile Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

by Alastair Wilson

This is the lively daily journal, prepared by this 'Doonhamer', which accounts for the many magical, mystical and at times even spiritual encounters I experienced on the 500 mile pilgrimage from St Jean Pied de Port in south west France towards Santiago de Compostela in north west Spain. Where the Camino provides the opportunity to meet various fellow Pilgrims, from a wide variety of countries around the world, and the many locals that also went to extraordinary lengths to make my pilgrimage special it also, and just as importantly, allowed myself time to have many special moments of reflection as throw-backs to my earlier life that would appear from my age old memory bank in my head most days. “How did I manage to walk long distances each day mostly on my own”? I had been asked on various occasions. Waking up every day, well rested and energised from breakfast, my 32 day walking plan allowed me to prepare for the challenges ahead and a level of excitement would swell within me each morning. As with most great experiences you will of course face some challenges and, on occasions, some mornings my body was tempered down by pain, from my lower body until I got a good stride going to loosen off whatever stiffness appeared around my re-surfaced metal hips. It never once got me down and with discipline and care as to how to look after your feet properly, I walked the whole 500 mile pilgrimage without a foot blister. This book provides an alternative to Alberques on the Camino experience, as I was fully supported by pre-booked Bed & Breakfast accommodation, which allowed me to enjoy the fantastic countryside which was ever-changing the further west into the journey I explored. Alleviating the need for haste, to chase beds in the next towns Albergues, provides an opportunity to enjoy the lively cities, challenging mountain ranges, sleepy villages and towns that you discover on the Camino. This unique travel experience I enjoyed was further enhanced along the Way when at one stage on the journey I was asked if I was “The pre-booked Scotsman”, which brought a wry smile to my face! Buen Camino.

469 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2017

Reviews

[john foster, mrs Debra Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smashing read

A great followed of these travel novels, some good, some bad, some awful..pleased to say this is one of the be better ones, if not the best.No hidden agenda, no skeletons in the closet running away from, just a normal guy going for a walk, a long walk. Loved the detail, the description and the enthusiasm . Highly recommend.

[Ben Twoonezero · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book but too long, brevity would have improved this book. It would have helped if the writer was more engaging he is clever and interesting but I never became engrossed. At the end of the book he meets Hunter Davies who is coincidentally one of my favorite travel writers. Alastair knew who he was but had never read a book by him. Hunters influence could have helped with this book.