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The Call To Pilgrimage, Resilience, And Embracing Challenge With J.F. Penn

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Why is resilience such an important part of pilgrimage? How can embracing the challenge of the way help in daily life? Why do we need to heed the call to pilgrimage before it’s too late?

I’m Jo Frances Penn and in this episode, I share some clips from podcast interviews I’ve done around my new book, Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways. Thanks to Travel Writing World with Jeremy Bassetti, Into the Woods with Holly Worton, and Sacred Steps with Kevin Donahue, podcasts you will enjoy as listeners to this show.

As this goes out, Pilgrimage is available now in a special limited edition signed hardback, as well as a paperback, ebook, audiobook narrated by me, large print edition, and a workbook.

In this episode, I talk about:

Which were the three ancient ways I walked and why they’re interesting even if you’re not religious
What I learned along the way
The three types of energy you need at the different stages
How pilgrimage reminds us we are animals, and how it gives a much-needed perspective on life.

Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route From Porto To Santiago De Compostela: Overview

Religious, Walking

In September 2022, I walked the Camino Portugues Da Costa, the coastal route, from Porto in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It was around 300 km in 14 days with links to each day’s walk below as well as extra decisions and packing info, as well as links to my other pilgrimage content. Bom caminho! Buen camino!

Preparation: Decisions to make, packing and gear list

Day 0: Exploring Porto, Portugal

Day 1: Porto city around the coast to Matosinhos (13km)

Day 2: Matasinhos To Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal (31km)

Day 3: Póvoa de Varzim to Esposende, Portugal (21km)

Day 4: Esposende to Viana do Castelo, Portugal (27km)

Day 5: Viana do Castelo to Vila Praia de Ancora, Portugal (19km)

JFPenn at Farolim de Felgueiras lighthouse, Porto

Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: Padron To Santiago De Compostela, Spain

Religious, Walking

The final day, 27km to from Padron to Santiago De Compostela.

My feet were blistered, I was exhausted — but I was ready to finish strong! I left the hotel at 6.30 am in the dark (sunrise was around 8.15 am), intending to find coffee along the way. The hotel provided a picnic so I had food with me.

Leaving Padron in the dark Photo by JFPenn

Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: Caldas De Rei To Padron, Spain

Religious, Walking

The penultimate day! Most of the 19 km walk was through agricultural pathways and back streets.

Agricultural pathways to Padron Photo by JFPenn

Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: Pontevedra to Caldas de Rei, Spain

Religious, Walking

From this point, the Camino became much more crowded. The Central route joins up with the Coastal and the accommodation is mostly in the same place and everyone has breakfast at the same time, so everyone leaves at the same time. It was quite shocking to suddenly be on the trail with so many people, but such is the popularity of the Camino these days! Today’s walk was 22km.

Pilgrims leaving Pontevedra on the Camino

Walking The Camino Portuguese Coastal Route: Arcade to Pontevedra, Spain

Religious, Walking

The 17km walk out of Arcade leaves over a bridge.

walking

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