This is autumn meeting time, returned pilgrims are settling in and putting up their boots, others are beginning to plan for next year, and I thought a mini-newsletter might be of interest to members as a few things have been happening.

First, I am very pleased to announce that Mariano Alonso-Burón, the Ambassador of Spain, has agreed to be the honorary patron of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims.  This serves to underline the important role of the Camino in the relations between Spain and Canada--- the many Canadians who walk the pilgrimage routes in Spain gain an experience and an appreciation of that country far from that of most tourists.

Born in Bilbao, and a member of the Spanish Diplomatic Service since 1971, with postings in Mauretania, Paris, Saudi Arabia and Washington , he was the founding Director of the Institute for Cooperation and Development Aid with the Arab and North African Countries, Don Mariano is no stranger to Canada .  He served as Spain’s Consul General in Toronto between 1997 and 2001, and has been the Ambassador in Ottawa since 2005, keenly interested in cultural links between our two countries.

Sadly, this is his last winter in Canada (and we know how much our Canadian winters are a source of delight to the Spanish who dwell among us), but we are appreciative of this recognition of the place of Canadians on the Camino.  

I keep telling people that the Company’s life is in the groups of pilgrims across Canada and things are moving.   The Maritime group held a vibrant meeting quite recently, and a new group in Winnipeg will be meeting this weekend, under Ivor Lockhart’s guidance.  Volunteers have stepped forward to set up the next Vancouver and Toronto meetings and I hope to have dates to announce fairly shortly.   

As well, there seems to be interest in the Kitchener-Waterloo region for an informal gathering—given the geography of Canada, and the dispersion of pilgrims all over (I still can’t get over how many there are in Smithers, BC!), ad hoc and structure-light get-togethers might be the way to go for people outside major centres.   If anyone is interested in doing something in their area, let me know and I can do a mailout to test the waters.

Watch for some news on the Sacred Steps on the Camino, artwork centred on the Camino.  There will be exhibits in Edmundston, Montréal, Toronto and London coming up shortly, with a few special events which will interest many— there’ll be some mailings on this, but do watch their website (www.sacredstepsinspain.com).  The work of BC member Carolyn Affleck will feature in the exhibition.

On a sadder note, some of you know Leigh, our former Vancouver coordinator.  Leigh’s wife died recently after a long illness and he has lost his life partner.  The Company has sent condolences and flowers on your behalf, but I know that many of you will want to keep him in your thoughts.

As always, thanks to the coordinators for their great work– I know only too well the headaches of organizing things, and the joy and delight as pilgrims get together-- as well as to central committee members Pat Shaulis, our diligent and enthusiastic treasurer, and Linda Savoie, who is cheerfully puzzling through a mound of official paperwork.