Well marked pilgrim’s path

The scallop shell is the universal symbol for the Camino. It can be found on statues, like the one above in Espalion, and on metal markers on the ground, like the one below.

Other examples, above and below, of the shell on Camino route signs we passed.
In addition, the French mark for the Camino is the red and white stripe at the bottom of the above picture. This is painted on trees in the forest or sides of buildings as we are walking through towns. It is generally easy to find our “way” on this walk.
Many walkers attach the symbolic shell to their backs, like I have.

In earlier times pilgrims used the shell to eat and drink out of. Sometimes food portions were measured by the scallop shell.

One of the more widely recounted versions of the legend of the scallop shell describes the remains of St. James being transported by boat from Jerusalem to Galicia. During a storm, a knight’s horse, riding near the coast, fell into the sea. Both the horse and rider miraculously emerged, unharmed and covered in scallop shells. 

The ridges on the shells also represent the many Camino routes that all come together in Santiago de Compostela.

Nasbinals to Saint Chely d’Aubrac (12 miles and 955 feet elevation).
Lunch in Aubrac (a “tartine” is an open faced sandwich)
Chely d’Aubrac to Saint Come d’Olt to stay at a convent. (11.7 miles & 1127 elevation). The sweetest nun checked us in, insisting that we first sit with her to drink a full glass of water with grenadine in it! I went to mass and we had a delightful communal pilgrim’s dinner.
Short day! Saint Come d’Olt to Espalion (6.6 miles & 830 feet elevation)
BIG day! Espalion to Golinac (18 miles & 2800 feet elevation) This doorway leads up to a second chapel in this sweet little church.
Half way lunch spot
Fresh pizza!
Our chalet at the Golinoc campground. Sweet place to spend a rest day but wish there weren’t thunderstorms so we could go in the pool (below)
Deliciously prepared vegetables for lunch on our rest day at the only restaurant in Golinoc. Lunch started with a 3 French cheese quiche and ended with a rhubarb-apple buttery crumble. Oh, also included in the 18 euro lunch was a glass of wine and a coffee.
Another Camino friend!

14 thoughts on “Well marked pilgrim’s path”

  1. Eileen Brady

    What a delicious entry you have made. The foods all look fabulous – or I am hungry! So nice to see you smiling on this lovely journey. Hugs, Eileen

  2. Katherine Schroeder

    Love all your depictions of the scallop shell and enjoying your journey along with you, Karen. What a lovely rest day except for the thunderstorms! But looks like you’ve had decent weather the rest of the days. Love the food photos. Buen camino.

  3. Nancy Hughes

    Love seeing the scallop shell! I was just looking at my Camino bracelet the other day with nostalgia and warm thoughts! The food looks delicious and countryside beautiful! Enjoy!!

  4. jill irwin

    Did you get to immerse yourself into that gorgeous pool at all? I wouldn’t imagine too many places to stay along the camino have that! I also love your scallop. 🙂 It seems you’re steadily gaining elevation as you go. I need to look up a map of your route and that area in general. Anyway, I think I would love to be in France doing this route. Will you consider the pilgrimmage that Tim Egan did from Canterbury to Rome? Happy Trails, always enjoy your posts!

    1. Karen Lindsey

      No, never seen a pool at lodging we’ve stayed at on a Camino route. Actually I take that back. On my second night on the Portuguese Camino there was a pool at this hotel I stayed at right on the ocean.

      I did not jump in the campground pool pictured although that could have been due to my lack of creativity about how to frame an immersion. I should have thought “cold plunge”!
      I have not thought about walking the Canterbury to Rome route although Steven read Egan’s book about it and we also saw Egan speak last year as part of our Literary Arts season. I think he did part of that route with his daughter

      Thanks much for your comments Jill!

  5. Priscilla Butler

    I love the scallop shell on your pack, the symbol that you see so often on the Camino. I had to look up what WOACA stood for, and learned it applied to me as well as to you! Your lunches are so much more interesting than the ones I eat every day here at home. I guess that is partly the difference between France and the US.

    1. Karen Lindsey

      Yes, I found the Women Of A Certain Age FB group before I walked the Portuguese Camino two years ago. I’ve never done anything like that before (join a FB group) and I ended up finding it both informative and supportive, especially since I was going alone. I even attended a virtual post camino group once!

      My lunches in Portland are a lot less interesting too!

  6. Kim Sisul

    I continue to be amazed at the daily mileage you walk. The photos tell a wonderful story. Thanks so much for sharing this. The ladies are riding today and Wednesday and will think of you as we ride to Cascade Locks. xo

    1. Karen Lindsey

      Yes, some of the big mileage days have been hard! When we finished the walk on Monday – 17.8 miles and 2300 feet – and we were reflecting on our hike over dinner and I realized that we’d done 4 days of the walk at around 18 miles, my eyes watered up! Maybe a let down reflex. I think it took a lot ME to do it! I guess it’s good to stay in touch with my grit but then again, I would not intentionally set up days like that for myself again!
      Thanks for following along Kim and tell our bikers friends hello! Sounds like u are getting good training in for your upcoming ride!

  7. Lisa Hay

    Like Priscilla, I enjoy seeing the foods you eat each day and am astounded by the mileage you cover! Keep it up

Comments are closed.

Related Posts

sign up for notifications