The first comment on the Whatsapp group set up for the March ’26 walk was from Kathy: “Hi everyone! I’m going to be travelling from the Gold Coast. …..”
Wow, how good is that – someone travelling all the way from Queensland to participate in our Camino supporters 5-Day Walk! The group of 45 walkers came from far and wide – Canberra, Ballina, Newcastle, “the Shire”, Dubbo and the greater Sydney region, all driven by the desire to be ‘pilgrims’ for the week. They were welcomed heartily at our Monday evening briefing by hospitaleros Eileen and Richard, hosts Margaret and Rowan, and MC for the proceedings – BMCS admin team extraordinaire Sharise.
A quick map and navigation help session was followed by superb tapas prepared by Richard in the Glenella Albergue kitchen. Eileen curated an icebreaker to relax all the newcomers and the second or third time 5DW pilgrims. Then it was time to distribute the yellow welcome bags with goodies including a chocolate, a poem rolled into a scroll, the comprehensive guide booklet and keepsake 5DW fridge magnet.
Dinner followed – a delicious Spanish meal again prepared by Richard with the help of Catherine and kitchen volunteers. It was then time to get serious and talk about the route options and what the daily routine would entail. Those who had been nervous now relaxed and everyone seemed to be looking forward to the early morning 7.03am train trip to the start the next morning. To close out the excellent evening, people surrounded the dishwasher and helped clean and tidy up for the night – already demonstrating the pilgrim spirit from Day 0.
Day 1 dawned and pilgrims gathered at the Emu Plains train station for the first of Margaret’s daily pilgrim table and informational briefing. And with that, walkers headed off and the five days started. Over the 5 days pilgrims embarked on walking a section of the route each day, Camino style, finishing in Blackheath and starting and finishing at a train station each day. The route takes walkers through interesting places along the way, experiencing ‘worked’ muscles, talking, walking, sharing and supporting. The standard route aims to mimic the Camino Frances and covers mainly paved surfaces and fire roads. Scenic options are offered each day for those confident to walk on bush trails and ascend/descend steps. Options are available to challenge everyone.
In the evening, activities ranged from engaging sessions hosted by hospitaleros Eileen and Richard, pub meals and a movie night. The Saturday celebratory lunch was a fitting finish to the week. A ‘boccadilla’ buffet with a wrap-up led by Sharise concluded the week long Camino training walk. Credentials were now filled with pages of stamps from Blue Mountains villages from Emu Plains to Blackheath. The week’s activities ended with a social evening barbecue and trivia on Saturday night, with plenty of laughter and sangria.
What a fantastic event! Thank you to everyone who participated and made it a true pilgrim experience in Australia – walkers, organisers and the BMCS admin team. Gratitude to all.
Words by Rowan and Margaret Bouttell
Photos from Adrienne V with thanks!