The year we seized the day : a true story of friendship and renewal on the Camino

The utterly compelling and inspirational account of how two very different writers tackle their demons walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, the legendary medieval pilgrimage across Spain Elizabeth Best had always wanted to go on a pilgrimage. Colin Bowles had never given it a moment's thought. But by a twist of fate the two barely acquainted writers seize the day and drop everything to retrace one of the oldest pilgrimage routes in the Western world, through the heart of Spain to Santiago de Compostela. It was meant to be a stroll in the sun, but they're under-prepared and carrying way too much baggage, in every sense. Bound by a promise and fueled by local vino, what starts out as a physical challenge—500 miles, give or take—quickly becomes an epic tale of tragedy, triumph, and fierce loyalty as a scenic walk through mystic lands gives rise to far greater personal journeys. Set amidst the olive groves, rolling hills, castles, and cathedrals of northern Spain and featuring a supporting cast of eccentrics—from mad monks to angry nuns, Lycra-clad cyclists, international soul seekers, and boisterous boy scouts, this is an inspiring, moving, and blackly funny account of two hapless pilgrims on an extraordinary journey to the end of the earth and beyond. About the authors......Page 2 Also by the authors......Page 3 Title Page......Page 4 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 7 Day 1 - Roncesvalles to Zubiri......Page 20 Day 2 - Zubiri to Villava......Page 25 Day 3 - Villava, and we're not going nowhere . . .......Page 34 Day 4 - Villava to Puente la Reina......Page 39 Day 5 - Puente la Reina to Monjardin......Page 54 Day 6 - Monjardin to Torres del Rio......Page 68 Day 7 - Torres del Rio to Logroño......Page 80 Day 8 - Logroño, and no place else......Page 89 Day 9 - Logroño to Nájera......Page 95 Day 10 - Nájera to Santo Domingo......Page 113 Day 11 - Santo Domingo to Belorado......Page 129 Day 12 - Leaving Belorado apart......Page 144 Day 13 - Atapuerca to Burgos......Page 160 Day 14 - Burgos to Castrojeriz......Page 169 Day 15 - Castrojeriz to Frómista......Page 177 Day 16 - Frómista to Carrión de los Condes......Page 190 Day 17 - Carrión de los Condes to wheat fields......Page 205 Day 18 - Wheat fields to San Nicolás del Real Camino......Page 207 Day 19 - San Nicolás del Real Camino to Reliegos......Page 212 Day 20 - Reliegos to León......Page 218 Day 21 - León, rest day......Page 222 Day 22 - León to Hospital de Órbigo......Page 231 Day 23 - Hospital de Órbigo to Astorga......Page 237 Day 24 - Leaving Astorga apart . . .......Page 243 Day 25 - Walking apart......Page 252 Day 26 - To Pereje together......Page 264 Day 27 - Pereje to Alto do Poío......Page 269 Day 28 - Alto do Poío to Triacastela......Page 278 Day 29 - Triacastela to Sarria......Page 282 Day 30 - Sarria to Gonzar......Page 285 Day 31 - Gonzar to Melide......Page 291 Day 32 - Melide to Santa Irene......Page 297 Day 33 - Santa Irene to Monte do Gozo......Page 299 Day 34 - Santiago......Page 309 Day 35 - Santiago......Page 316 Day 36 - Finisterre......Page 320 Acknowledgments......Page 332 Two writers, barely acquainted, decide - pretty much on the spur of the moment - to seize the day and go on an 800-kilometre hike along the ancient Camino de Santiago pilgrim trail. With its history and legends of Templar Knights, Holy Grails and bandits, there's bound to be a book in it!But what happens when two vastly different people find themselves confronting their pasts - and each other - beneath the stark glare of mid-summer heat-waves? Bound by a promise and fuelled by lashings of local vino, what might have been a travelogue soon becomes an epic tale of tragedy, triumph and fierce loyalty as a scenic walk through mystic lands gives rise to far greater personal journeys.Set amidst the olive groves, rolling hills, castles and cathedrals of Northern Spain; and featuring a supporting cast of eccentrics - from mad monks to angry nuns, lycra-clad cyclists, international soul seekers and boisterous boy scouts - The Year We Seized the Day is the inspiring, moving and blackly funny account of two hapless pilgrims on an extraordinary journey to the end of the earth.and beyond.'A gripping tale of endurance laced with heartache and wry humour.'Sun-Herald'Their courage and honesty in facing their demons makes this book a compelling read.'Woman's Day Elizabeth Best had always wanted to go on a pilgrimage. Colin Bowles had never given it a moment's thought. But by a twist of fate the two barely acquainted writers seize the day and drop everything to retrace one of the oldest pilgrim routes in the western world, through the heart of Spain to Santiago de Compostela. It was meant to be a stroll in the sun, but they're under-prepared and carrying way too much baggage, in every sense. So what starts out as a physical challenge - it's a thousand kilometres, give or take - very quickly becomes a far greater struggle with demons they've kept hidden in the too-hard backpack for years. Joined by grumpy monks, mad nuns and French cyclists with too much testosterone the two battle exhaustion and their pasts, fuelled by red wine and a perverse determination not to be beaten by a Spanish heat wave, the mountains or themselves. Set against a stunning background of golden wheat fields, misty mountains and tumbledown villages that haven't changed in centuries, The Year We Seized the Day is utterly compelling, by turns inspiring, moving and blackly funny, as two very different writers recount with astonishing candour an extraordinary journey of a lifetime Presents a travelogue about the authors' pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain, the emotional trials each one experienced along the way, and the lessons they learned about themselves and each other Set against a stunning background of golden wheat fields this book is utterly compelling, by turns inspiring, moving and blackly funny as two very different writers recount an extraordinary journey of a lifetime The Utterly Compelling And Inspirational Account Of How Two Very Different Australian Writers Tackle Their Demons Walking The Camino De Santiago De Compostela, The Legendary Medieval Pilgrimage Across Spain.