READY TO WALK.

When we discovered 2010 was a Holy Year (any year when St James' Day falls on a Sunday), we were quite pleased to be planning our walk on one of the less busy routes as numbers swell in Holy Years and accommodation can become very crowded.

We then applied for our Pilgrim Passport through CSJ in London, so we will be ready for our first pilgrim stamp (sello) in Seville. All albergues have their own stamp, as do many of the smaller shops and hostals in villages along the way. As for our last pilgrimage, we will show our multi-stamped pilgrim passport at the cathedral office on arrival in Santiago, so that we can be presented with our official Compostela certificate before we attend the Pilgrim Mass in the cathedral. This year we are hoping to witness the swinging of the huge botafumeiro (incense burner weighing 80 kgs and requiring 8 men to hold the pulleys), which is more likely in a Holy Year. In Ferdinand and Isabella's time, it is said to have come loose from its ropes and 'fair flung out of the window!

During a Holy Year there is a special entrance into the Cathedral, which is then closed again at the end of the year.

What are our aids to keep us on the right track?

We have 2 very good guide books.....one by Alison Raju and one by Ben Cole and Bethan Davis. One seems to complement the other with daily maps, gradients and points of interest, so I presume we will carry one each.

The way is marked with fairly regular yellow arrows and the old Roman Milarios (stone markers) are still in evidence intermittently. We are in the process of photocopying, marking and laminating relevant sections of maps which we will also take with us.

Added to this, locals are generally very supportive and helpful to pilgrims, as are fellow walkers. One of the biggest problems is roadworks which tend to block or remove established markers and in some cases, pilgrims are often sent on big detours especially for major works such as autopistas (motorways).

Now a little word about the blog before we start. I tried out 3 different blog sites, and after many hours of trial and error (especially uploading photos), this one seemed the most user friendly and also allows uploads from mobile phones as and when there are free wifi hotspots. Now I know it all works, we will be ready to do our first of many blogs on the route.

BUEN CAMINO.