Walk & Write Camino Review

Group walking & writing their way to Santiago with Stephanie Dale | Stephanie Dale
Group walking & writing their way to Santiago with Stephanie Dale | Stephanie Dale

Walk & Write Camino Review

Discover what it's like on a Walk & Write Camino pilgrimage with Stephanie Dale 
 

Group walking on the CaminoA group of like-minded travellers sharing stories and making memories on the Camino

Our Walk & Write tours aren't just for writers - they are for anyone wanting to unlock their creativity and purpose. Led by author and journalist Stephanie Dale, these unique adventure writing tours offer a productive 'time out' from everyday life. Sue Gunningham joined the April 2018  Walk & Write Camino and put this blog post together for us about her experience. Don't forget to view the 2020 edition of the Walk & Write Camino.
 
A writer’s block of monumental proportions requires an innovative solution. Hence I found myself walking 4-5 hours a day along cobbled lanes and bush tracks that wound around century-old stone-cottages and farmhouses on Spain’s Camino track.

Wandering with my musings between moss-covered dry-stone walls reminiscent of the pathway to a fairy dell, and then on through forests with leafy arms lifted in prayer, offered a possible solution. For eight days, under the watchful eye of author Stephanie Dale, I joined a small group of aspiring writers to walk the Pilgrim’s trail from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela.

Mornings began with a workshop to focus us on ‘the story within’, to help us target the muse and encourage us to listen hard to the words our psyche was urging us to write. I participated willingly, listened, breathed, walked and mused. And slowly, a crack appeared in my reticence, and my story began to emerge.

Each morning, walking pole in hand, my stride became more enthusiastic. ‘Buen Camino,’ I called out more sincerely to friendly pilgrims and villagers en route. A four-hour walk followed by a couple of hours’ writing in a coffee shop or bar was exhilarating.

Pilgrims writing |  <i>Stephanie Dale</i>

Then transportation to luxury accommodation – a magnificently restored centuries-old miller’s cottage, a nobleman’s house or a restored village hospital complete with chapel. Each accommodation was more amazing than the last – four poster beds, open fires, sherry decanters, Spanish cakes and views of lush green rolling hills and stone bridges.

With each day my slumbering secrets awakened and by journey’s end I had scaled the walls of my writer’s block - my story was laid bare. At the Pilgrim’s Mass held at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela on the last day, having walked 118 kilometres, I sat smiling, renewed and joyful.

‘Este ce mi Camino’ –
This is my Camino.

  Sue Sue on Walk & Write Camino
Sue standing by the fireplace after a busy day of walking and writing workshops
 

>> Join Stephanie Dale on the next Walk & Write Camino departure: 5 September 2020.
 

Camino, El Camino de Santiago, Spain, Walk & Write, walking, walking holidays, writing holidays

Comment (0)



Comments are closed.
Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips