A pilgrim’s notes app scribbles

Romantic iPhone notes made whilst walking the Camino de Santiago

Most years, I walk a section of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, a pilgrimage with various routes, all culminating in Santiago. I always do this alone and usually write romantic little notes on my phone. Here’s one from last year.

---

I move slowly along the camino where - it seems to me - most others hurry.

Athletic trekkers depart near sunrise and stride, scarcely without stopping, until they arrive at the refugio of their choosing.

I move slowly on the camino which - sometimes - makes me feel I must be lazy or weak.

But I want to eat pan con tomate and drink un café solo in la plaza; I want to feed a sparrow crumbs; I want to watch the pueblo’s day commence. I want to note things down.

I want to take stock of the sky, to commune with expressive dogs behind fences, to cry on scenic benches, to talk with lonely old men in bars, to listen to Spanish people addressing their children.

I want to watch the children transfix on the dogs accompanying the lonely old men, and to see how all three speak.

I need to examine white petals emerging from stone walls and gaze at crumbling could-be-communes-with-friends, fantasising.

I need to imagine a life lived in a rambling hilltop home with una huerta and toys scattering the arid land.

I must greet the goats.

And laugh at adolescent calves pestering their mothers.

I can’t but rest for hours on small Cantanbrian beaches, cradled by green.

I move slowly along the camino because, if not, I don’t know the way. I know no other way.