My Camino Blog

Did you ever see the film Castaway starring Tom Hanks? He comes to a cross road and he stands and…

This story starts with a murder.... The murder of an artist in Dorothy L Sayers novel ‘Five Red  Herrings’. Set…

Footage courtesy of ITV

Titanic was my Downs Syndrome brother Martin's favourite film (along with the Sound of Music and Crocodile Dundee.)  Every Christmas…

Coast lines always deliver secrets.  I was following the narrow gauge railway line and it went alongside the beach.  There was…

Half way along Spain's North coast is the port of Santander. Famous for its beaches and it's bank, it's an…

 The general rule of thumb is take less.  Whatever you think is essential cut it in half. You are…

There's nothing like it for realising the distance travelled.  Weeks ago coming out of Burgos I stood and stared at…

I enjoy people watching.  Especially in other countries where they do weird stuff.  Like scything the grass.  What's wrong with…

I can hear brother Martin saying: "nice church!" as we stare at the altarpiece.  Indeed it's one of the gems…

I got a puncture.  No surprise there.  Bikes are always getting punctures. Except this bike. In seven weeks of cycling…

I was on a quiet winding road through the hills.  No traffic.  Around every corner and hair pin bend there…

In the middle ages something like a quart of a million people walked the Camino from their homes.  They would…

It's the other end of the earth.  They are 20 miles apart.  And pilgrims tend to have a favourite. Finisterre…

It's the bit at the top end of Spain that is utterly different from the rest of the country.  It…

He was sharpening a blade.  A massive blade.  Done sort of machete.  And he was sitting there in his slippers! …

Along the way pilgrims are supposed to get their pilgrim passport stamped to prove they've actually done what they claim…

I stopped because of the carved figures in this glorious memorial. With clasped hands in prayer I am reminded of…

There are lots of different routes to Santiago de Compostela.  I've been on the way of the Plantagenets, the way…

This route passes through lots of rural Europe so you can expect to see animals along the way.  I've seen…

I needed a cuppa and a piece of tortilla.  I stopped at the bar and sat down to refresh.  And…

It's half way along the Camino, but only if you start at Roncesvalles in Spain.  As I started at home…

The plains of Spain...  That should be a song... Oh it is.  And the rain in Spain falls mainly on…

I stopped and painted when I saw the distance church. It was a relief to know I was about to…

I am constantly thrilled to see the changing landscapes each day and over each hill.  How could the world vary…

Just out of Estella is a famous monastery with vineyard attached.  I was reminded of the first miracle at the…

High up on the mountain is a string of wind turbines.  You know you are in a windy spot when…

It began with rain which lasted all day.... The Alberge team in St Jean Pied De Port gave me an…

It is, as I keep telling people, not a jolly....There is always weather you contend with, to begin with snow…

The tiny old town of St Jean at the foot of the pass over the Pyrenees is small enough to…

It's a city that dates back to Roman times when they discovered the healing power of the thermal waters. Today…

The ride through the uniform lines of trees is extraordinary.  All the pine trees in all the world appear to…

She's my favourite heroine of history, Eleanor of Aquitaine.  She married twice, to two kings! First the King of France…

Lorraine Kelly surprises fellow TV star Timmy Mallett on charity cycle challenge, as reported by Scotland's Sunday Post. Click here…

The Bordeaux region is wine country. The best red wines in the world come from here and every field is…

Saintes is a dream city on the Charente half way between Poitiers and Bordeaux. The Romans liked it and built…

In the village of St Leger I came across an extraordinary piece of new infrastructure. A pilgrim resting place, a…

It seemed fitting to find myself at Fenioux - the lantern of the dead.  This is a huge church with spire…

It sounds like a military figure - the vicar general - turns out he's the Archbishop's fixer. It was a…

The gendarme volunteered his own life for the hostage.  In last week's terrorist attack in the south of France this…

"We have a friend who owns a castle, do you want to visit it?"  "Of course I do!" Avantan Castle on…

Each day I look for somewhere special to leave a Martin Mallett name tag. Actually that's not strictly true. Each…

It's only another 45 mins away.  But it's in the wrong direction.  Of course I went! I'm standing across the…

Theresa May came to my home to hear about the Camino and reasons for cycling and painting it. In my…

How would you feel if didn't go and see your hero 20km away?  Never have regrets in life.  Always pursue your…

"Where will you stay?"  That is a question I've been asked a lot and I ask myself each day.... I have…

That's all most know about the Cardinal. Except he was also a town planner! He also knew how to get…

We lose an hour as the clocks spring forward.  No time to lose. Up with the dawn and get out…

I found a Good place for Martin, my brother, today. Next to King Henry 11 and Richard the Lionheart and…

In the middle ages you need the blessing of your lord of the manor before setting of across Europe on…

Well these are Street entertainers from another era, another century.... I saw them standing at the organ grinding machine that…

Geoffrey of Anjou was a colourful character in the early 12th century. He was married to Matilda the empress, grand…

I was saddened by what I saw.  Along a pleasant country lane I came to a crossroads with a bus…

Inspiration is everywhere.  It's not hard to see it or to register it.  It is hard to do and do…

We all do this when we get somewhere impressive.  First thing we do is get out the camera, or in…

Martin's name tags... We sew them onto clothes.  So they won't be lost.  So we know where they belong. Among…

Is that Mallett or the postman cycling into the village? You decide!

Every adventure needs a soundtrack. Billy said I have to have some music to cycle to. What should that be?…

Do I look nervous? Rev Nick Plant sent me off from Cookham church on the way to Santiago. I also…

I Love this message from USA. Do I feel supported? You betcha! There must be a term for a group…

I start today. It's a fine grey soft English drizzle. My tummy is in turmoil. Should I take this? Will…

My good friend Wendy Craig, star of Butterflies, the Royal, and Nanny have me a sweet and gentle messagr of…

Got the gorgeous Giant bike, the great Daler Rowney paints, and my messages of support.. What have I forgotten?  Now just…

Listen to Timmy's interview on BBC Radio Berkshire, where he discusses his huge 2,000km cycle trip to Camino de Santiago…

My pal Gary who gave me this.... It's a thoughtful piece about the mystery of the Camino.... You can read…

I'm about to set off on my grand adventure, cycling the Camino de Santiago. It feels like it's begun with…

I was delighted when the Bishop of Oxford the right reverend Steven Croft agreed to bless my Camino painting and…

It's a delight to get the support and encouragement of Gareth Malone for my big adventure. Cheers Gareth! Reach your…

Entertainer Timmy Mallett is set to embark on a 2,000km cycling adventure from Maidenhead to Spain next month. Setting off…

It's March, spring is on the way... And It's zero degrees, storm Emma is here and I'm utterly freezing!  How am…

My local MP and prime minister, Theresa May, came to hear all about my Camino de Santiago and the local…

For 900 years this relic of the apostle of Christ has been in the Thames valley. It felt right to…

  It was the start of Feb and the arctic polar blast was howling down across Europe. In Oxford our…

I set off from Christchurch college wearing a Christchurch tie, a lovely present from the porters in the They had…

Click here to keep track of Timmy's cycling progress! In March and April 2018 I intend to cycle and paint…