The Power of Pilgrimage

📰 News

• Pilgrim Numbers on the Portuguese Coastal route soar by 72.33% 😲

• Albergue in Agés on Camino Frances for Sale

👍 Recommended Gear I Used This Year

Walking a Camino doesn’t have to mean you’ll get BLISTERS…if you pack the right gear.

I always pack Scholl Pressure Point Foam padding to stop hot spots turning into nasty, painful blisters.

Make Scholl Foam a part of your blister prevention kit and you’ll be smiling all the way to Santiago De Compostela 😊. It’s cheap at $12.50 US (£10) for a pack of three and weighs virtually nothing.

How to use:

You’ll need scissors, Scholl Foam and Leukoplast 😀 

1. Cut off a piece of Scholl foam that is the size of the hot spot

2. Place the foam on a piece of Leukoplast tape.

3. Apply tape with padding over hot spot

4. 🤩 Your foot is now a blister free zone

My full video on Blister prevention is available here:

🏡 Camino Accommodation Recommendations

Bela Muxia – Camino de Fisterra and Muxía

As the name suggests, Bela Muxia is situated in Muxia, which is 86.4 kms from Santiago De Compostela.

This albergue is laid back, spacious and spotlessly clean. The hospitelaros are welcoming and help to set the laid back tone of the albergue - which fits with the relaxed vibe of this small sleepy fishing village.

You can turn up on the day to secure a bunk bed in the dormitory or call to reserve – beds in the dorm room are currently $16.5 US (£13). I reserved a bunk bed over the phone for two nights, which enabled me to extend my stay in Muxia and properly explore this lovely little town.

They also have plush looking private rooms available online on booking.com, some of which come with a balcony and sun loungers.

Bela Muxia also issues the Muxia Compostela to pilgrims who have the required stamps in their pilgrim passports (1 for each walking day from Santiago to Muxia).

I thoroughly enjoyed staying at Bela Muxia, and next time I’m in Muxia, this will be where I lay my head 😴.

What Does a Pilgrimage Mean To You?

A pilgrimage can be unique to each and every one of us, but what does it mean to you?

Whether you're marching 500 miles along the sacred Camino De Santiago in Spain, wandering through the serenity of nature, or making a pilgrimage to your favourite football ground, the joy and positive mental health benefits of a pilgrimage are boundless.

The Camino De Santiago, with its medieval charm and spiritual significance, beckons pilgrims from far and wide. As you traverse quaint villages and lush landscapes, there's a palpable sense of connection – not only with the earth beneath your feet but with the countless pilgrims who have toiled on The Way before you.

If the thought of walking a 500-mile journey on foot feels a tad daunting, fear not. A pilgrimage can be as simple as a stroll to a place of significance to you, be that nature, a shrine or even the hallowed turf of a football ground. The key is to find what resonates with you personally and let the journey unfold.

For some, the gentle crunch underfoot of leaves in a forest is the perfect backdrop for introspection and mental reset. Getting lost in nature sets the stage for self-discovery and regeneration, time out is time well spent.

Then there are those who find solace and spiritual fulfilment in watching the beautiful game with others. A pilgrimage to witness your favourite team in action is not just about the game; it's a communal celebration of camaraderie, shared triumphs, and the occasional heartbreak. The rhythmic chants of the crowd become a hymn, echoing the collective heartbeat of devoted fans.

Whatever the chosen path, the mental health benefits of a pilgrimage are as plentiful as the routes themselves. The sheer act of putting one foot in front of the other becomes a meditative act, a therapeutic ritual for the mind. The endorphin release from physical exertion intertwines with the euphoria of reaching milestones – both literal and metaphorical.

In the grand tapestry of life, a pilgrimage is a thread that adds depth, colour, and joy. So, whether you find bliss in the echoes of a thousand dusty footsteps on the Camino De Santiago, the rustling leaves of a serene forest, or the roar of a stadium, lace up your shoes, embark on your journey, and embrace the benefits a pilgrimage will bring.