The Pilgrim's Progress

August 7, 2023 7:42 AM

. . . from this world to that which is to come. John "Camino" Brierley, copious writer of guide-books to the Caminos de Santiago, died on 2nd July in Dartmouth, England. Obits: The Camino Society and The Guardian. Himself talking about empty mind (YT-4½min). Sort of related: BBC essay about The Camino Inglés to Santiago from Reading to Southampton. Ultreïa? Sing it!

MetaPrev on the Camino 2011 and 2016.
Declared interest: never used his books on my journey but I did have a pint with him in England five years after returning from the End of the World.

posted by BobTheScientist (7 comments total)

A couple of months ago, travel-media superstar Rick Steves helped Martin Sheen re-launch his movie "The Way" about a father walking the Camino. I watched it, and enjoyed (most of) it.

My cousin walked another one of the pilgrimage routes earlier this year, and I was amazed by the combination of doggedness and playfulness that their trip took. Folks who do these routes once -- much less repeatedly -- are as much adventurers as they are spiritual travelers, from what I can tell.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:51 AM on August 7, 2023

I watched "The Way", on rec from a friend, and very much enjoyed it. I would like to do something like that, some day.
posted by xedrik at 2:31 PM on August 7, 2023

I caught this interview with this CBC interview with Andrew McCarthy today while driving. I realize now what prompted them to air it again. McCarthy was very convincing and by the end I wanted to do the walk myself.

I was reminded of Herzog's Of Walking in Ice which I read during a period of seclusion and introspection as a seasonal worker in a provincial park. To paraphrase McCarthy, "walking brings you closer to yourself."
posted by Evstar at 2:51 PM on August 7, 2023

I used his works in planning my own Camino 19 years ago. From his obituary:

In the year before his death, having been told that no further treatment was possible for his cancer, he walked the Camino three more times.

Hard enough in good health, but, my goodness. I am sorry to hear of his passing, but glad to heat that he got to enjoy the Camino again.

Bon camino, Brierley, and thank you for your guides.
posted by grimjeer at 3:56 PM on August 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

Walking the Camino was one of the most profound experiences of my (secular, Jewish) life. Brierley's guide made for a wonderful companion along the way. I'll miss his sometimes cranky, often mystical, always deeply knowledgeable voice.

I think The Way is pretty corny, but then again, so am I whenever I start talking about my own walk.
posted by jshttnbm at 5:05 PM on August 7, 2023 [1 favorite]

I used his guide when walking my Camino and I wish him well on his next journey.
Bon Camino.
posted by ceramicblue at 6:56 AM on August 8, 2023

Brief tribute on BBC Last Word [16m-20m]
posted by BobTheScientist at 11:38 PM on August 25, 2023