I have been walking with the Camino del Norte, one of the ancient pilgrim routes that go to Santiago da Compostela in northern Spain for the past week. I have been doing so in the company of my wife, Laura, her sister and brother in law. We began in Biarritz in south western France last Tuesday morning and have now arrived in Guernica at the heart of the Spanish Basque Country.

My feet have become very badly blistered and Laura (who is a doctor) tells me that there will be no more walking for me this year. I feel humbled by this and realise how I regard my body as a servant that should obey me in my every wish. Am I going to learn a new relationship with it? A partnership perhaps?

I found a pilgrim’s credo by Murray Bodo before I left and I have been repeating it often along the way. I will end by sharing it.

I am not in control. I am not in a hurry. I walk in faith and hope. I greet everyone I meet with peace. I bring back only what God gives me.