Camino de Santiago – Newsletter July.
All reports from the Camino Frances tell me that the route is very busy. However I don’t know what the level of traffic is and what is considered “busy.” During July and August every year the Camino is busy, August is the main Spanish holidays and it shows on the Camino. I started walking the last time about Aug 12th or so, from Roncesvalles, the Camino until Pamplona was very busy. Between Pamplona and Sarrie (112km from Santiago) the route was fine and I never had a problem staying in any of the hostels. Due to the huge amount of Pilgrims starting at Sarrie the whole atmosphere of the Camino Frances changes; I found it not as pleasant or friendly, though the route is quite beautiful.
The Botafumeiro rope was replaced earlier this year and it was though that it would be back working now. It seems there have been further problems and the church is hoping to have it working by 25th July. The Botafumeiro is the container that swings in Santiago Cathedral, filled with incense.
If you live in Ireland there is a St James mass in St James church, James Street, Dublin – on the 22nd of July.
There are going to some changes to the Pilgrims Passport. Apparently there have been some on-going problems with tourists using the pilgrim’s hostels as a cheap source of accommodation. These changes will not affect anyone travelling this year and I will pass on any information once it can be confirmed.
The web site caminodesantiago.me.uk has been under going some changes. There is a slightly new template on some pages it will eventually cover the whole site. New language translations are being added, the latest one being Polish. Hopefully Spanish and Dutch will be coming later this year.
Please feel free to print the Albergue list from the site – someone mailed me to ask if it was okay – yes, that is what it is there for. The list is constantly updated when anyone mails me with information on new albergues or changes. There will be a complete review during the winter.
I was sent a book – Peace Pilgrim. Their web site is http://www.peacepilgrim.org. The book is great and I will write some more about it soon on the Camino blog attached to my site.
Thank you for visiting my Camino site and all the best on your Camino.
Buen Camino
Leslie
Camino de Santiago de Compostela
Walking in Scotland
Walking in Ireland
Leslie Gilmour