Weybridge to Guildford, 25Km
Guildford to Godalming, 9Km
Godalming to Haslemere, 23Km
Haslemere to The Jolly Drover, 19Km
It’s 10 years since I set off to walk the Camino in April 2016. It was meant to be a one time pilgrimage but with little else to do I’ve been out every year since. What an adventure it’s all been! And what incredible people I’ve met along the way. So this year I’m heading back to Santiago de Compostela but along a slightly different route: the Camino del Norte which runs north of the main Camino Frances. But first I have to get to Spain and, like before, I set off from home to walk down to Portsmouth for the ferry to Bilbao on Thursday night.
I’m a bit late starting this blog because I’ve been shuttling home on the train each day. However I’m now in deepest Hampshire and the train fares are too expensive to return to Weybridge, even with my senior rail pass. I stayed at the Jolly Drover pub in 2016 so I’m back here again. When I checked in, George the landlord asked me if I’d stayed here before. It was a safe bet he wouldn’t have remembered.
So to recap, I started on Saturday with Mandy, following the familiar path up the river Wey to Guildford. Mandy’s friend, Jan joined us on Sunday for the 2nd leg to Godalming, a mere 9Km of riverside wandering with a first class pub preparing to serve 200 Sunday roasts. You’d think walking a pilgrimage was a jolly pleasant thing to do, easy peasy. On Monday, Mandy saw the contours on the map and made excuses while Jan and I walked the hills of the North Downs and Greensand ridges to Haslemere. It was a beautiful walk and I’m sure Jan will forgive me and grow to appreciate it, in time.
Today, I took the 09.41 train back to Haslemere and planted myself in Costa Coffee among the laptops until I felt able to follow the winding Serpent Trail and the Sussex Border Path (presumably with Hampshire) without arriving before the 3pm check in. I wandered through bluebell woods with beech trees just coming into leaf, sandy heathland and expensive villages where nothing has changed in 10 years, except the house prices.
Pilgrimage 
Hmm ….more like someone has to work to keep Mac in cat food whilst you are away! How was the cream tea this afternoon?
Home made cake at the Rake garden centre. Couldn’t resist
Kia Ora, Tim. I’ve been waiting for you to emerge from winter hibernation and explore new territory. Obviously not so new to start. Gorgeous bluebells. Be sure to visit the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and please stroke the flower-covered cat and tell her from me she is the most memorable piece of art there! Looking forward to reading of your experiences on the route to Santiago as I had considered it a decade ago. Kia kaha, Vicky
Hi Vicky, good to hear from you and u hope you’re well in NZ. I’m pleased to be back on the Camino this year. The ferry sails to Bilbao harbour but the city is a day’s walk in the wrong direction so I have to miss it. I went to the Guggenheim in 2016 en route to Pamplona. It’s magnificent
This is wonderful—I really love looking at your pictures! Please keep them coming and enjoy your walks!
Thanks and hopefully some good views on the South Downs tomorrow
I’m looking forward to these. Buen Camino, Tim. Sad news about Brian xx
Thank you Mary. Good to hear from you and keep in touch.
You found some English bluebells, mine are all Spanish. Hope you have a good ferry crossing (I was sea sick the only time I sailed across the Bay of Biscay).
Yes English bluebells deep in the woods. Long may they thrive
Good luck on your travels Tim. I will enjoy reading your blog as always.
Suzi
Hi Suzi, thanks and welcome! Tim
I’d love to comment, but too busy at Mandy & Jan’s party….
I think they’re resting
Well, I haven’t managed an annual pilgrimage like you, but I, too, am hoping to commemorate our 10th anniversary with another camino. Hoping to be in Spain in the fall for a scouting trip (plan to move there next year) and want to walk the Portuguese.
¡Buen camino!
Hi DJ, amazing anniversary. The Portuguese Camino sounds like a special one. Tim
Looking forward to this year’s posts! Buen Camino!
Thanks Adam and I’m looking forward to seeing you when I return
Yay, you’re back on the road! Exciting can’t wait to see and hear all about your travels. Weirdly something you post about usually then comes up as a question in The Times saturday quiz!
Hi Dawny I’ll do my best! Tim
Ah, Tim, back on the Camino you lucky thing.
I could really do that again, and the Norte too. Wish I was walking with you.
Anyway, I’ll be happy to follow your journey.
Buen camino
Hi Torin, I am lucky! And you’d be more than welcome to come and join me if you can. Tim
Happy 10th anniversary Tim!
Jane, Deirdre, Richard & I are gathering May 12 to celebrate the milestone! 🎉
What a life changing experience it was. We haven’t managed another Camino yet but have had the good fortune of crossing the signs & markers through our European adventures.
The Camino Francés will hold lifetime memories of joy, pleasure & a little blister pain.
Buen Camino.
Patti
How wonderful to hear about your 10th anniversary celebration. I wish I could join you all. You’re absolutely right about the Camino being a life changing experience. It was so much fun from meeting you all at that albergue, one stage after Pamplona with the church clock striking all night! I’ll never forget all the fun we shared. Say hello to Jane, Deirdre and Richard for me. Tim
Nice to see you’re back on the trail again. I’d be a little worried about that marker with the snake though.
I didn’t see any serpents on the Serpent Trail so I guess it referred to the way the path winds around itself so you lose your sense of direction. Probably real Spanish snakes to come 😐
Hi Tim, good to catch up on your pilgrimage and to see your fine pictures of English bluebells.
It’s also a time of sadness as we mourn the death on Monday of Brian Mooney, fellow pilgrim and friend at the Confraternity of Pilgrims to Rome.
I will miss his company.
Enjoy your journey, Tim. I will follow it with interest.
Nick
Hi Nick
It was just dreadful to hear of Brian’s death because he was such a friendly person and held the distinction of being one of the few pilgrims to walk to Rome then walk back home. It was Brian who got me to volunteer for the CPR. How wonderful to hear he somehow made his final pilgrimage up the stairs in the hospital and then back to his deathbed. We’ll all miss him immensely
Hi Tim, Happy 10th Anniversary and congratulations for taking on another pilgrimage. I’ll be following along.
Lynn
Hi Lynn
Thank you and great to hear from you. I hope to find some good artisanal goats cheese in Galicia. Tim