SHORTLISTED FOR THE EDWARD STANFORD TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 'Deeply poetic.' CAROLINE LUCAS MP 'A masterpiece of storytelling.' NICK MAYHEW-SMITH 'Mary Colwell is a candle of open-minded curiosity.' PATRICK LAURIE - Mary Colwell makes a solo pilgrimage along the Camino Francés winding through forests, mountains, farmland, industrial sprawls and places of worship. Pilgrims have always walked in times of upheaval, pitching themselves against weather, hunger, thirst and sometimes pain as they tread the paths their ancestors once followed. In the winter of 2020, author, nature campaigner and veteran solo walker Mary Colwell walked a 500-mile pilgrimage along the Camino Francés in northern Spain. In a typical year, many thousands of people walk this route, but Mary had it virtually to herself at a unique historical moment - a time of profound political change, escalating climate and biodiversity emergencies and global pandemic. The modern world weaves in and out of the Camino's worn trackway, providing a focus for contemplation and a place for memories and experiences to gather. In her delightful book, Mary weaves experiences from her solo winter pilgrimage with stories from a walk millions have undertaken over the centuries. Her thoughtful and, at times, humorous journey of body and soul includes moments of intense spirituality, meetings with a demon slayer, strange goings-on and magical tales, and Mary's exquisite descriptions of the constant backdrop of nature in all its complexity and wonder.

The Gathering Place

Mary Colwell

Religion & Spirituality

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Mary Colwell. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Mary Colwell

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Mary Colwell. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Gathering Place