Still not exactly prepared, though.

So, it’s long past time for another invitation to go for a very long walk, don’t you think? I mean, it’s been…weeks. Months, even. Six months, to be imprecise but close.

When I finished the Whatever Camino last year, it was definitely not on a high note, and I didn’t feel that another Camino was in my near future. And honestly, I still don’t. That is, I don’t think another Camino de Santiago is in my near future. That doesn’t mean this pilgrim’s progress is over though. By no means. Fortunately, a good friend turned me on to the British Pilgrimage Trust, and this beautiful tome!

I know it’s not a great image, but Britain’s Pilgrim Places is AMAZING. It was a bit pricey, and I expected it to be more pretty than informative, but friends. Friends! This book is both massive and FULL of information. And while it details only a handful of pilgrimage paths in the UK, it also details literal hundreds of places on the way. So who’s coming with me?

My first pilgrimage (other than the one I’m on as I type, to a local cafe) is the Two Saints Way. I am deeply in love with the notion of St Chad, Patron Saint of High School Quarterbacks, Varsity, because Chad is one of those names, like Tiffany, that seems much more modern than it is. And St Chad has his very own cathedral here in Birmingham. And even though Chad was mentioned by…was it the Venerable Bede? Eusebius? I think Bede…as kind of a key saint in the early English Church. Or at least worthy of mention, you know?

So I’m going on a short pilgrimage for St Chad. And the other guy (but I’m here for St Chad and American Football. My Detroit Lions will appreciate it. Wonder if I can petition the Vatican to add this to his patronage?)—there’s actually a Substack article about the Two Saints Way, but of course, in keeping with my moniker, I do not have the link to hand.

Anyway. If you, like me, have had a Whatever Pilgrimage experience and wonder if pilgrimaging still holds any sparkle (or mist, or spiritual benefit—or WHATEVER!), I welcome you to join me on some pilgrimages around the UK this month, before I pop over to Ireland for the Celtic Camino in May—and thence to Fisterra, dammit! Because I don’t care about Santiago (sorry, guys. I really don’t. It’s not for me), but I’m pretty anxious to get back to the end of the world.

But first: the Football Pilgrimage.

Anyone got a letter jacket I can borrow?