Coffee & Camino

This episode I speak with Sarah Palmieri who almost stumbled upon the camino by accident when she walked the Camino frances in 2018. From knowing very little about the camino she was to find it a deeply personal experience.

Today I chat with retired couple John and Mina Mann recent tree changers to the Yarra Valley just outside Melbourne. John worked in IT for many years and Mina as University lecturer in dental health for the disadvantaged. After a trip to Barcelona they made a pledge to walk the camino frances in 2017.

Today I speak with retired couple Bernie and Margaret Cronin who have undertaken many caminos along the frances, norte, portuguese and soon from Le Puy. Bernie has maintained a busy retirement as chair of Catholic Social Services - Victoria, after a long career in the welfare sector. Bernie and Marg are a bundle of energy with a great perspective about the human and spiritual benefits of the camino.

This episode I chat with young Australian pilgrim Rosa Ablett-Johnstone who walked the camino frances and camino portuguese in 2018. Not just content with that, she wrote a 15 000 word memoir including her reflections and stories about many of the pilgrims she met along the way.

This month I speak to Geoff and Diana March from the Riverland district in South Australia. Although self-declared non-religious people they found themselves captivated by the history, traditions and the spirit of the camino.

This month I speak with young German pilgrim, the aptly named Santina Pellegrino who is in Australia working as an au pair. Santina has walked the camino frances twice starting from Le Puys in France and she speaks very personally about the huge impact the camino has had on her life.

Today I speak to retired couple Pat and Anne O'Brien from Cape Bridgewater in south west Victoria. Never ones to slow down, they are veterans of 3 caminos in Spain and Portugal as well as some very intrepid walks in the UK.

This Episode I chat with Mark Walsh from EREA a veteran of two caminos in Spain with more to come. Mark has also spent time in holy lands of Israel and Palestine which has given him a unique insight into the history and cultural values of pilgrimage.

In this episode I chat with County Court Mark Dean who has found inspiration and respite over 3 journeys on the Camino Santiago. Mark has written personal memoirs and some reflective pieces about life in the judicial system and how the the camino has helped him find meaning in challenging times.

In this first episode I catch up with well known husband and wife team, authors Graeme Simsion best known for the 'Rosie Project' trilogy and Dr Anne Buist best known for her Natalie King crime series. Together they co-authored a camino love story 'Two Steps Forward'.