These drafts were written in 2019 and 2021 with further updates on the adventures on the www.fatal-bananas.blogspot.com.
Every Camino my plan to draw the threads together unravels with the script.
It's a properly deconstructed novel which makes it the myth.
I've a new chapter about when Jose met the Newry girls. Like many Irish when the Ryder cup is on and the partners fuck off on a golfing weekend they head south, jump a flight from Dublin and are in Bilbao a short time later. Josephine loved their Camino. 10 years of 4 days trips.
In the time since I first started writing I'm delighted to find the characters Josephine has written about and some of the events have now taken place.
Making money from closing the coal mining industry and heating homes is now a thing. Who knew? Well Jose did and her character Tommy too.
September 2025.
A few typos finally fixed and it's 2026, May and nearly June.
In 2018 when Josephine was doing some research it took her onto the ruta de la Plata. The section from Salamanca to Benavente to be precise. The purpose was fulfilled. This Camino from Sevilla and before has the least pilgrims. It provides respite from the mayhem with long sections of solitude. No pueblos, just traipsing the land. Stimulating while emptying the head. Jose was looking for this as her characters evaded the growing throng on the Camino Frances.
The route as you approach Salamanca is full of history with battles for the city on the outskirts. As you leave the roads are noisy. It's quite a few hours the tranquility returns. Zamora is the next big city which arrives after 2 long dry days.
Two shorter days after Zamora is barcial del barco. A wonderful little town with a large empty Albergue and bar Borox.
The walk into Benavente is short along a disused railway. The river, forest, bridges all leave you feeling that tranquility the Camino brings as you rejoin another civilisation going about their daily lives.
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