Principal's Reflection

Trip Overview

September 4 2023 Day 1:  Arrive Madrid

September 5 2023  Day 2: Madrid to Monforte de Lemos

September 6 2023 Day 3: Monforte de Lemos to Sarria

September 7 2023 Day 4: Monforte de Lemos to Sarria and walk to Portomarin 22kms

September 8 2023 Day 5: Portomarin to Ventas 14km 

September 9 2023 Day 6: Veritas to Palas de Rei 15km 

September 10 2023 Day 7: Palas de Rei to Melide 15km

September 11 2023 Day 8: Melide to Arzua 15km 

September 12 2023 Day 9: Arzua to O Pedrouzo 19km

September 13 2023 Day 10: O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela 23km 

September 14 2023 Day 11: Rest day in Santiago de Compostela

September 15 2023 Day 12: Depart from Santiago de Compostela

Awe and Wondering

As I have now completed the Camino walk, I reflect on the reason I wanted to under take this experience of walking part of the Camino.

I wanted this walk to help me slow down and attend to the moments I am in, as I walked each day, not living in the past or the future so much that I miss the present. 

I want to live life at a pace to notice and care. 

When I moved slowly I noticed. I noticed the tiny flowers, the huge chestnut trees. I noticed people I passed or who passed me. I noticed the people sitting outside their homes, or in their village as I passed by.

I noticed the old farm sheds, the beautiful farm gates, the huge pumpkins growing in yards. I noticed tractors ploughing the way, shadows falling, trees leaned and the emerald green moss drips. I noticed the perfect spider webs that formed in the tall grass and glistened in the morning fog.

I listened to the different dialects of the pilgrims as I walked. I listened to the birds, cows, and the children swimming in a backyard pool. I listened to the experiences of those I walked with and sat beside.

I wanted to watch and listen with awe, curiosity and wonder. When I moved slowly I heard the whisper of the Creator.

Gratitude helps to settle my mind. I am thankful to have had this opportunity to walk the Camino with my colleagues. I am thankful for our times of prayer each day. I am thankful for the encouragement, the laughter and time spent together. I am thankful for the wonderful places that I stayed each night and the meals and the stories we shared.

Gratitude reminds me that God has cared for me in the past, cares for me in the present and will care for me in the future.

I wanted to learn to attend to the awe and wonder in each day and not miss any of the moments God had created for me on this Camino Walk.

Sarria to Santiago de Compostela 123 kms

A lovely way to finish,  in front of the beautiful Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.

I hope you find some awe and wonder over the break and look forward to seeing you all in Term 4.

Carmel Stutterd

Principal