The Happy Pilgrim

Dedicated to an inspiring Pilgrim friend (Helen)

It's been a long time coming, but I have finally compiled all my favourite flowers of the Camino photos to share with interested friends and family. Pilgrims will see that some of these images aren't in chronological order. In consolation, I hope they are reminded of the joys of walking and the wide open spaces and the quiet times where the simple things in life, like flowers are appreciated. A simple peaceful moment capturing the perspective of the flowers against the road. 

Occasionally I captured fellow pilgrims in my lens at the same time (but not intentionally). Sometimes I walked with others (who also enjoyed the flowers and colours) and sometimes I stopped and they kept going while I took my time enjoying the solitude, colours and beautiful scenery.  This quirky photographic compilation and how it evolved reminds me of life in so many ways.  

I have mentioned the wisdom of Helen previously. She walked her first Camino the year before we met, from Burgos to "The End of the World" in 2014. She was a generation older than me and as fit as people half her age. She told me she wasn't sure she could do the Pyrenees the first time round. What a joy to spend time with her from Orrison to Burgos, noting she carried her own pack and stayed in shared accommodation.  

Helen also realised that while I researched my Camino "to death" beforehand, that I had absolutely no idea what to expect at the end of my journey in Finisterre. She deliberately kept the joy of stepping off the walking track onto this beautiful beach in north-west Spain a total secret from me, knowing I would be moved to tears by the experience. 

A final joy for me at the end of my Camino was that I tried all day to capture a photo of my shadow on that beach and failed to.  The reason I am smiling in this cloudy 'beach day' photo was that I will remember the joy of my whole Camino, including this day every time the sun is on my back and my shadow is in front of me. 

Thank you to Marc Tewksbury for helping me edit these treasured memories together in such and elegant and mindful way. 

These photos aren't for everyone but your music is just so beautiful it lends itself to the joy of life on the Camino.

Music enthusiasts may like to visit Marc's music catalogue on Apple Music or Spotify and YouTube.