I’ll take the high road and I’ll see you on the way

CHARLIE opened up a whole new world to us as 12-yearolds, a world away from homework, a world away from television, the world out there along the countrypath. A world of hiking... and misadventure.

Charlie doesn’t look like he does much hiking any more but he wasn’t the only one that could apply to in the dirty dozen from the Class of 1983 who gathered in Glasgow at the weekend.

My old pal installed in me a love of hiking that lasts to this day and I fulfilled a life’s ambition in walking a stretch of the Camino three years ago and followed it up with the Via Francigena. I hope to walk a stretch to Assisi this year too.

Peregrinos – or pilgrims – will be interested to hear that the Camino Society Ireland has introduced a new Compostela certificate which can be picked up in the St James Church in Dublin after completing 25kms of a pilgrim trail in Ireland.

They can then take that and walk the 75kms from A Coruna in Spain to fulfil the 100kms needed to get your Camino certificate.

The first Celtic Camino festival takes place in Westport. Co. Mayo from April 13-15 and peregrinos can walk 25km on the Croagh Patrick Heritage to pick up their Celtic Camino Compostela cert.

Visit www.caminoways.com for information on Camino Ingles from A Coruña. It is four days and priced at from €368, April to October.

It seemed like half of Scotland was here for the rugby on Saturday, and half of Ireland, was leaving for Scotland for the Rangers v Celtic game. There were others too off to the third biggest game in the UK, in Manchester, third after the Old Firm and Edinburgh derbies.

If you’re in Glasgow, try the Carlton George Hotel, 44 West George Street from £127pp per night. (044)141 3536373. info@george.carltonhotels.co.uk.

Last night Ed Byrne’s The Road to Santiago, where he takes a group including Neil Morrissey and Debbie McGee and pop star Heather Small, kicked off on BBC2 at 9pm. Buen Camino and enjoy the pulpo!