Reflections

We have finished our Camino Francés. It has been an extended journey over three years. There is a definite sense of achievement. In each year we’ve walked 300 km / 200 miles. The landscape of northern Spain is embedded in our memories.

Our feet are weary but in reasonable condition given the distances involved. It has been a time of mental refreshment and time to reflect on our lives, both immediately and in the wider context of friends and groups. Neither of us have had any particular spiritual enlightenment or unburdening.

The churches along the Way have been thought provoking although there were few to visit in this last section. The cathedral at Burgos was stunningly beautiful but we found the shrine of St James at Santiago de Compostela leaving us cold.

I found the silence and physicality of Cape Finisterre to be moving. In 1972 my family sailed past Cape Finisterre in MV Aureol on our way back from Nigeria for the last time. That was a time of major change in my life. For some reason Finisterre lodged in my mind and I wanted to visit this place.  After more than half a century that has been achieved.

For the future, my thoughts can be summarised around the books I’ve been reading whilst away.

On this Holy Island – A Modern Pilgrimage across Britain by Oliver Smith

We have enjoyed our pilgrimage as a long term goal. It has been hard work at times but definitely worthwhile. This year has been harder than the previous two which may be down to the ascent required but also to the fact that we are two years older.

As we think about future expeditions, we’re not sure that we want to tackle another long distance path over weeks at a time. We had thought about the Via Francigena through Tuscany to Rome but don’t feel drawn to that at present.

Walking through the countryside in shorter bursts is something we both relish. We will probably tackle more shorter walks in the UK. The Ridgeway to Avebury is definitely on the cards.

As for Spain, we’ve enjoyed the country and want to visit more. Travelling through the Paradores of Spain by car seems the way ahead.

There was a Country : A Personal History of Biafra by Chinua Achebe

I first read Achebe’s Things Fall Apart whilst at secondary school in Nigeria. We were in Nigeria during the Biafran war although only tangentially affected. This reading has encouraged me to think more about my childhood experiences and what it was to be brought up in a very different world.

Coincidentally, over the last two weeks, I received an offer from the University of Birmingham to undertake postgraduate research into the colonial development of education from the 1940s onwards in northern Nigeria with the involvement of missionary societies. Achebe talks in positive terms about the importance of education and evangelism.

It feels right to be embarking on this phase of study. I look forward to exploring analytically some of my own background experiences.

Small World by David Lodge

David Lodge was a professor of English Literature at Birmingham University. He wrote a trilogy of novels based around a fictional university called Rummidge but with strong similarities to Birmingham Small World is the second in the series.

This novel is based on the academic conference experience. I’m hoping to get involved with such events and other academic journals or seminars.

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Being on pilgrimage is a good time to reflect on life choices. As we return to England this feels both a continuation of our lives and the start of a new phase.

We are very grateful to be able to continue to walk to explore our world together. Beryl still enjoys following paths. It is also a privilege to meet people from different backgrounds and experiences. Life has much to offer.

Ultreia!