The traditional garb for a pilgrim, on the Camino De Santiago, included a long cape to protect them from the weather and to sleep in. A gourd to carry their drinking water. A stout staff to help them climb slopes and to fend off wild dogs and desperate wolves. A broad brimmed hat for protection from the sun and rain and finally a Scallop shell, which has since become the international symbol of pilgrimage. The modern rucksack would have been unnecessary to early pilgrims, after all it only contains things like clean clothes, towels and equipment to wash with. The early pilgrims personal burden would have been much lighter but their smell would have been much higher! My Scallop is from 2004 and my earlier Camino. The stout stick is made from beech-wood and is from Bovey Tracey on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, England. The copper ferule at it's bass is from Pedro Duarte's Fontaneria (Plumbers) in my village of Yunquera, Spain. The broad brimmed hat is an Akubra "Snowy River" from Sydney, Australia a much used present from my little sister, Pamela.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The traditional garb for a pilgrim, on the Camino De Santiago, included a long cape to protect them from the weather and to sleep in. A gourd to carry their drinking water. A stout staff to help them climb slopes and to fend off wild dogs and desperate wolves. A broad brimmed hat for protection from the sun and rain and finally a Scallop shell, which has since become the international symbol of pilgrimage. The modern rucksack would have been unnecessary to early pilgrims, after all it only contains things like clean clothes, towels and equipment to wash with. The early pilgrims personal burden would have been much lighter but their smell would have been much higher! My Scallop is from 2004 and my earlier Camino. The stout stick is made from beech-wood and is from Bovey Tracey on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, England. The copper ferule at it's bass is from Pedro Duarte's Fontaneria (Plumbers) in my village of Yunquera, Spain. The broad brimmed hat is an Akubra "Snowy River" from Sydney, Australia a much used present from my little sister, Pamela.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Ruta De Plata Pilgrimage
The Ruta De Plata is just one of the many different versions of the Camino De Santiago Pilgrimage. This Celtic, pre-Christian pilgrimage was originally walked to the end of the known world, Cape Finisterre. Finisterre meaning End of the Earth. During more recent years, well since about 800AD, the destination became Santiago De Compostela or in English "Saint James Field of Stars" This is because it is believed that the body of Saint James, one of Christ's Apostles and the Patron Saint of Spain is buried there under the present day Cathedral. I intend to start the journey in October 2009 and it will be more than 1000 km/600 miles of walking. It should take 6 - 7 weeks. I have walked the shorter 800 km/ 500 miles of the French Camino before and it took me 29 days so we will have to see. Fitness, weather and luck play massive roles in the life of a pilgrim so nothing is predictable or taken for granted. The photo is me with my usual form of transport a Harley Davidson Electra Glide.
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