If you would like to contact my publishers:
Sarah Hollingsworth
Melbourne University Publishing
P: (03) 9342 0322
M: 0406998030
E: shollingswor@unimelb.edu.au
If you would like to contact my agent:
James Laurie
James Laurie Management
Ph: + 61 3 9682 9100
Fax: +61 3 9682 9044E: sydney@jameslaurie.com
If you want to book a speaking engagement, please consider some of the talks that are described here: http://bookedout.com.au/find-a-speaker/author/ailsa-piper/ You can call Lauris, or any of her team at Booked Out, on (03) 98240177
Feel free to leave me a direct message on Facebook or on this site.
I’d love you to become a subscriber, so we can walk together. Just enter your email address on the homepage and hit “subscribe.”
Buen camino!
OH I ADORE It…..it looks so clear and clean – and yet so far and so much….
love it….
Thanks dear Kati. I think the designer has done such a beautiful job. It looks like my memory on the page!
It is such a gorgeous cover … I can’t wait to be able to turn the cover and read! Now, that WILL be a journey. Bravo.
Congratulations dear one, David and I very excited for you and giggling like teenagers at your “real book cover”-Amazing! It looks very appealing and just a little bit naughty xxx
Thanks you two. I have a similar response whenever I see it – “Look, look! It’s a book!!!!” And I do think they have made a very beautiful book. I want the inside to live up to it.
It really does…
page 170, where you talk about your ability to speak french, with vocabulary you’re convinced you’d never learned. Then linking this to situations where you were able to transcend and remember poetry whilst walking without any conscious conjuring…
Your poetry –and i think– a very strong premise of the book is the line,
“Unbidden, yet intact”
This idea that, ‘everyone is everything’-is so clearly executed in the book in so many different ways. (The above being only one of the many)
And your voice is so modern and accessible that you have this ability to address wonderful, visceral, archaic concepts in this fresh, hip way…
(Or in brief… I connected)
Didem.
Dear Didem,
It was a joy to meet you last night, and now it is more joy to receive this generous response.
Thank you so much. You have quite undone me! I am very grateful to you for sharing your observations. It’s easy to forget details in the imperative of soundbites when speaking publicly about the book. Thank you for reminding me that there are many stories – and for your connection!
Hello. So i have been following your blog when i get the chance
and was thinking of you yesterday becauuuuuuse… Because. i go on term break soon and am heading to Melb and wanted to buy you a coffee and pick your brain….
But, i see you’re coming to sydney which is fantastic!
I’ll definitely come to the book event in Paddington. And if you have any spare time at all while up here i’d love to talk to you, especially about the adaptations from novel to script or vice versa??
The newest addition about lust really fuelled my thinking tonight, so thank you.
Hope you’re well
D.
Is this one the book that you wrote while traveling through Spain last Summer, when you came to my bookshop?.
Many thanks for your comments about my venue.
Manuel
Si, claro, Manuel. Es el libro! Es en el mundo. Espero que sea en tu libreria hermosa.
As your childhood next door neighbour and with parents coincidentally from Spain, I together with my sister Ana, am really looking forward to reading your book. Congratulations, en hora buena, felicidades etcetera etcetera
Margaret! That’s incredible. I hope that if you are still in Perth I might see you if I am over for the book. How wonderful. Muchas gracias vecina!!! Nosvemos pronto.
That would be great Ailsa, not hard to find me and mum still lives next door to your (old) place. There are many many things to tell you, and many to hear about I am sure. Hasta pronto.
Hoping I will be in town in a couple of months. I’ll be sure to put word up here and on Facebook. And Twitter! I’m so modern. And I know where to find your mum.
Oh Ailsa that would be great, really, I am very close to mum’s place and in the book..you won’t believe all the coincidences around our contact and the “before”. Creo que el reencuentro esta escrito en las estrellas. Besotes.
Didn’t mean to sound like “You call me”…I know you will be busy, I will squeeze in where it suits you:)
No problem. I am looking forward to seeing you and hearing all!
Un abrazo.
Dear ailsa,
Your book is fascinating. It would be a pleasure to meet you. Are you planning on coming to England at any point?
Shohab
Thank you SHohab. How have you read it over there??? Sadly not coming to England any time soon. Not cashed up enough for travel just now. But always travelling in my mind!
Hi Ailsa,
A friend of mine brought the book for me as I was interested in reading it. Your attention to detail and passion for writing is brilliant. Do you have any other intended travels planned ahead?
Gracias! And to your friend.
Travel?
Always dreaming…but can’t be planning just now. That’s life!
You are welcome. Are you writing any further books or in the process of releasing any new material?
You are welcome. So are you in the process or writing any other books or releasing any material soon?
Shohab
Hola Ailsa!
just read your book.Great read. Very timely as myself and 3 friends are walking part of the Camino (from Leon to Santiago De Compestella) in October. I am the matriach, will be 2 months shy of 60. Your book has given MY beloved Merrells wings.Can’t wait! wish I had time to walk longer but work calls.thank you Ailsa!
Cherie
Hi Cherie. Lucky you! On this rainy Melbourne day, I dream of warmth and a backpack. I’m so thrilled the book has inspired. Thanks for telling me. You will love it. Walk well in those Merrells. Buen Camino. Have a vino tinto for me. X
HI Didem,
Thanks for the comment about the lust post. Glad it was fuel for thought.
It would be great to catch up either in Sydney or Melbourne. I’m up there tomorrow for a few days for Duchess of Malfi, and then again from the 18th, so we should be able to find a time. Hopefully we will cross paths on the 21st – that should be a great night.
And you will be on holidays! Bliss….
beautiful
oh yes, that’s opening soon isn’t it. Great. well maybe around the 18th-21st, don’t suppose you make dates on your blog right?! 
do you have an email address linked to this site.
Thanks so much for the reply.
D.
Dear Ailsa, I read your “Frequent Flyer” contribution in the Weekend Australian yesterday. Found your blog-site – subscribed. He vivido en Madrid – hace muchos años – donde enseñando al inglés – and always interested in that land anyway from age 10 in primary school in Tamworth (NSW) – “singed beards and Armadas and the Spanish main”. Four+ years ago I read former Australian diplomat Tony KEVIN’s “El Camino” just as I was coming up to some 16 years living and teaching in western Japan. And then return to Australia about three years back. His book inspired me to walk (just before my return) the famous pilgrimage route in Japan about which you may be aware – the 88-temple 1200+ km path around the island of Shikoku – which in many respects is like the way to Santiago de Compostela. This similarity struck me again when I read how you carried the sins of others – to bring them absolution. The primary aim of Buddhist pilgrimage I undertook is to pray for the repose of souls of those dear to us who have passed away. I made a list of fifty+ precious persons who had slipped from this mortal existence during my time in Japan – and I carried it with me – along with a specially made “juzu” or Buddhist rosary which – wrapped around my prayer hands – was with me as I chanted a part of the standard sutra at each of those 88 temples! I took photos of my shadow, too, like you – my “tsue” or staff and the typical hat giving me the classic pilgrim’s outline! De acuerdo re good shoes and pack! I did have one little blister however – but of no consequence. Robert Louis STEVENSON did a 12-day walk in south central France in 1878 – he advised one to walk alone – any more makes it a picnic he said. The benefits are in meeting others and in the introspection. The Japanese pilgrim may appear to walk alone – as with me – but the assumption/belief is that one walks with the invisible presence of the priest K?Kai who is said to have established the path over 1200 years ago. ["Same Way Two Persons" (D?-gy? Ni-nin)]. I will find your book to-morrow! Brava! Ailsa! Brava!
Wow. Thanks so much for that lengthy response, Jim. Like getting a proper letter! And if you do get the book, you will see many resonances, I’m sure. Me Stevenson is in there! And Yuji, a Japanese pilgrim I encountered in my final days along that road, walked the Shikoku path and has been encouraging me to do it in the coming years. I may need to sell a few more things before I can afford it! Your pilgrimage sounds beautiful, with mantra and staff and hat. I hope that you will get to walk the Mozarabe. It is a magnificent road, and with your Spanish you will enjoy the villages and towns enormously. And solitude…ah, yes…
Gracias. Muchas gracias, peregrino. Buen camino. Siempre.
“Do-Gyo – Ni-nin”
Heeeeee! (pron. haaaaiiir) Japanese sound expressing amazement! A reply?!! Your path from Granada – aah! [The Generalife/Alhambra/Catedral... memorias.] the same as that walked by Tony KEVIN. My wife and I bought a house in 1981 in Marrickville in Sydney from a Spanish family – sus vecinos en Perth también, no! The Japanese path is made easier with conversational Japanese fluency por supuesto BUT – can be done with little or none – and the route is generally well-marked! But there are so many walking paths around the world. A young English cousin finishing an Adventure degree in a university in Cumbria walked the RLS Trail (with two donkeys – one of them named “Modéstine” quite coincidentally it would seem) with some fellow students – in 2003. On visits to me in Japan we did a couple of one day walks of old Edo Era paths across the mountains in the region where my wife and I were then living. He led (now afflicted too severely with his Cushing’s Disease) many walks in the Lakes District and the Yorkshire Dales up until about three years ago. Nowadays I fairly regularly walk the Fernleigh Track from Belmont to Adamstown in Newcastle – an old steam train track now a beautiful cycling/walking path/bushland corridor of 16 kms – which takes about two-and-a-half hours. Sometimes I see Luke FEARNLEY – the amazing iron man – flying along on his stream-lined racing tricycle. Always inspiring! I will be in Sydney to-morrow – Kinokuniya Books – here I come!
Oh yes yes yes. Trails everywhere here in Oz. Larapinta, Bibbulmun, Great Dividing Trail, Overland Trail…I’ve been lucky to walk quite a few but I know there are more waiting. More than one lifetime. What good fortune. Enjoy Sydney town. I loved being there last week.
Your book was waiting for me at Kinokuniya. One copy only remaining in the store. The clerk who took me to the bookshelf had read of your book and wanted to read it – she said. She pulled the book from the shelf – the bottom corner of the cover had been caught and was bent back. She fussed over this unfortunate occurrence. (I was thinking to myself – the kind of thing which occurs when I push my books into my bag for reading while using public transport.) She was young and clearly distressed that I might be taking your book from the store in this state. Compensation. She took it away – we met back at her desk where she inserted a slip into the book which when presented for payment became a 10% discount.
I have finished reading – very impressed. Beautifully composed – the thinking and the arrangement based around the sins you carried and reflections on that as well as the stage play format of three acts. I wrote up a very straightforward version of my own pilgrimage (88-temples) about 65,000 words – your book reveals to me how pedestrian (unintended pun) is my own story BUT within it lies something I may one day re-work – the important thing 18-20 months ago was to get it written. I want to respond to other things/issues/memories called up from your book – via another means – not to take up this space. In any event – congratulations on a very moving, reflective and above all honest journal of your journey.
Hi again Jim,
Thanks so much for taking the time to come back with your response – and with such a generous and perceptive response to what I was doing. The theatre framework is important to me for all the obvious reasons and I’m glad it made sense to you. I hope you do go back and do the work you want to on yours. It has certainly kept the pilgrimage very alive for me, delving to make the book. 88 is a wonderful number, isn’t it? Will that shape your book?
I hope our friend at the bookshop was not made too anxious. As you say – books are made to show wear and tear. That is love. She just gave yours its first affectionate bruise!
Thank you again for your generosity and the story. So kind.
Hi Ailsa,
I have walked the Camino in France however I always got blisters. I am going to walk the Spanish Camino and am wondering if you have any boots you could recommend? I saw your article in the Herald Travel section and was wondering what brand you were referring to?
Cheers,
Jennie Kelso
Dear Jennie, How wonderful! My theory about blisters is that feet don’t get to breathe. My magnificent much-loved boots were Merrell Siren Ventilators – now discontinued!!! AGH! I loved them because they were not Gore-Tex and had panels of webbing (like runners) so that air literally flowed through. Every breeze made its way to my toes. They were not good for wet weather – toes get soaked – but I prefer my feet having ventilation. Of course if you are walking through wintry conditions, better have GoreTex I guess – I am a hot weather walker by preference. I have two pairs of the mighty Merrells that I tracked down when they stopped making them, and if I could lay my hands on more, I would. That said, I would never recommend any boot to anyone. It is the most personal purchase and as you would know, takes a lot of time to find the boot that is right for your foot. All I can advise is to look for a boot that has plenty of airflow, if you can find it. And if the boots you really love are a bit outside your budget, chance it.
But take plenty of time to find boots. That is the key. And it doesn’t matter what others say to you – you have to go with the ones that feel best on YOUR foot. Many people walk the Camino Frances in runners, and that is also worth considering if your pack is not heavy. The trail is pretty good on the Frances.
Buen camino.
Ailsa
Jennie (via Ailsa) I walked the 88-temple route around the island of Shikoku in early 2009 (weather ranging from freezing to days in high teens Celsius). I had Gore-Tex ankle high boots – heavy – but enough tread on the soles when I’d finished to have gone another half-way around again I suspect. I had one blister near the end of the walk. (Not sure why – but it was of no consequence and no trouble – without any medication/powder or cream.) The thing to which I attribute the otherwise lack of blisters was not necessarily the shoes but to wearing the kinds of socks which have individual toe holes (not unlike gloves for hands) – over which I had heavier regular socks as a kind of further protection. If that’s of any help?
Great points Jim. And yes, socks are vital. Not sure how I would go with toe socks, but I do adore my Merino Threads – all wool socks from NZ. Anything from NZ seems to work for me!
I think the fact that toes do not rub against each other when separated by individual toe-holes – and that boots are roomy enough so that they do not lead to toes being forced against the front of the boot – are of importance. I am visiting with friends in Leeton – your comments on Merrells they endorse!
I start walking the Via del la Plata around 17th May (am doing some tourist stuff in Granada and Sevilla) , I have done some of the required training – possibly not enough. I have now switched to the toe socks and they have ended my rubbing toes and with a little generic blister tape also ended my blisters. I have a pair of the merrells (sadly gortex) – the below ankle series. I have now racked up around 200 km in them and feel they will last the 750 km from Merida. Ailsa one small question – do I need to carry a light weight sleeping bag if my budget will allow hotels if pilgrim beds are not available. Loved the book and your email blogs.
Hi Michael,
How very exciting! The road should be glorious at that time, though it could be a bit warm! Great that the toe socks work well for you. I’m sure the shoes will be fine. I only needed one pair for my 1300 kilometres, and they still had a wee bit of life in them – though I would not have wanted to walk home in them!
If you are going to stay in any pilgrim accom, I would certainly take alight sleeping bag. It may not be necessary due to warm weather, but you never know. And almost none of the refugios I stayed in provided blankets, though in Galicia they provide paper base sheets and pillowcase. Of course if you can stay at hostals and hote;s all the way, no problem at all!
Buen camino, peregrino. What wonders lie ahead for you!
And thanks for the compliment re the book and blog!
Ailsa
Hello, my name id Ricardo San Martín. I am an English teacher now retired, At present I am writing a book on the travellers who passed through ALCALÁ LA REAL . On page 68 (chapter 7, Moor, moor, moorish) I ‘ve read your visit to Alcalá. I will quote some of your words and comments concerning Alcalá for my book.
Would you be so kind as to send me three od four lines commenting on your visit to Alcalá? I guess you stayed at Hostal Río de Oro, right? Was your journey in 2011?
I rode the Camino twice and walked the French Way of Santiago from Roncesvalles to Burgos (I hope to finis it soon9.
Looking forward to your reply. Ultreya, Ricardo San Martín
Hola Ricardo! No, my journey was in 2010, and yes I did stay at Hostal Rio de Oro. My memory of Alcalâ is mostly of wandering the streets in a kind of exhausted stupor! The observations in the book are really clear for me, and as you would appreciate, the emotions I describe there coloured the experience of the town. Perhaps you can give me more of an idea of what your book is about so that I can write something useful for you. Buen camino, peregrino.
Yes, I agree you describe your emotions in the town very clearly: the billboard with obituaries, the inside of Consolación Church with Virgins and their tears, etc. Even the talking with plowmen burning olive branches in your way to Las Ventas, that is what I have quoted for my book of travellers through Alcalá.
Maybe you could also tell me something more about the buildings and monuments (the Mota castle), the people in the streets and so on.
Thank you for replying. It was kind of you. Ultreya.
HI Ricardo,
I’m not sure about this, being new to publishing but I think that if you want to quote from the book you must seek permission form the publishers. I had to do that for all my contemporary quotes. As I say, I’m new and don’t know about copyright law and who can grant permissions, but it would be wise to enquire.
To be honest, I feel I have not much more to add. I worked hard to craft the passage in the book, and would prefer not to write something in isolation from that. Thank you for asking, though. I am sure your own reflections will be more true to your intentions with your book. Suerte!
I have just finished reading your wonderful book’ Sinning across Spain’.I heard you being interviewed on Radio National which set me off to read your book. I have not enjoyed a book so much for years.If I was younger,I would be off to Spain but I felt I was on the journey with you.I love your style of writing which was so absorbing.Well done.Cheers,Audrey.
Oh Audrey, thank you. I’m sitting in an airport waiting for a delayed flight, feeling a little restless in the heart, and this has made my day. I am so glad that the book took you on a journey, and really touched that you have found me to tell me. Thank you. Suddenly this delay is pleasurable! I will think of you in Sydney tonight when I talk at the Cervantes Institute – a bit of Spain in Australia. Gracias y buen camino.
Hi Ailsa, we met at the signing of your book at Jo and Gil’s shop Aziza, I am a member of The Breakfast at Tiffanies Bookclub.
We loved our discussion and after heading off to a local Spanish Cafe decided to make Sinning Across Spain our next Bookclub title, a bit different to our most recent title Fifty Shades of Grey!!
To go with the theme of the book we have decide to embark on a walk ourselves, not quite the adventure you undertook , we are meeting at The 1000 Steps in Ferntree Gully, having lunch afterwards at Earthly Pleasures, it would be a thrill if you could join us.
The meeting is on Sunday the 26th of August.
cheers
Shelle
Hi Shelle,
That’s incredibly kind of you – to choose the book, and also to invite me along to walk. Sadly I will be out of town on that day – celebrating my anniversary, actually! I will raise a glass to great walking women – a glass of something sparkling, I hope. I hope Sinning lives up to your last read. Funny isn’t it? Mine probably has a racier-sounding title – very little that is sinful about the sound of Fifty Shades of Grey!More evidence that we can’t judge books by their covers. Buen camino – walk well. And thanks again.
dear ailsa, I am loving your book. I am trying (with difficulty), to savour it, reading a quarter each night…but mmmm…tis hard to be “disiplined”!! What an extraordinary person you are
kyria
Thanks so much Kyria. I know that feeling when you and a book hit it off. I raced through a second read of Sophie Cunningham’s MELBOURNE this week, and just today I’ve gulped down half of Kate Holden’s memoir IN MY SKIN – a book I have meant to read for years. So delicious. But to slow down has felt impossible so I salute your efforts! It was lovely to meet you on Sunday at the Pavilion. Wasn’t it a great day? Thanks for sharing stories, and the tip on Violet Town. Buen Camino.
Dear Ailsa,
Wanted to tell you just how much I absolutely loved Sinning Across Spain. Read it whilst on holiday and frankly could hardly put it down, even for dinner or a glass of wine and that is saying something. Someone close to me knows you and I have told her how much I enjoyed it and then, today, I was having a little ‘sit down’ after a long spell in the kitchen and turned on Ch 24 only to be lucky enough to see the interview with Caroline Baum, you and another favourite of mine, Charlotte Wood whose book also came with me on hols. and the wonderful Hannie Rayson. Will watch it again on my computer when I get a chance and have told others about it also. Have loaded the “other” book on the same journey and will read that in next holiday in a few weeks. Your book is a very thoughtful intelligent and gentle walk through some hard days and I really admire your effort to go it alone. I couldn’t have done that. I also love Merrells, but not the hard walking type, ones I wear to walk fairly easily in! Will be following your blog in future – I am beginning to wonder just how many I can look at in a day and still do all the work here for me! Sounds as though I am always on holiday – far from the truth I have to say, just to spoil grandchildren and our two.
HI Bertina,
Thank you so much for tracking me down to tell me that you enjoyed the book. It is such a treat to hear from a reader, and I feel very grateful that you made the effort. Even more happy that the book resonated with you – another Merrell-lover! And I am so glad that you took Charlotte’s book with you too – she is brilliant isn’t she? Was it one of her novels, or was it Love and Hunger? All are full of such heart and wisdom. I loved that panel. I felt I was among women who made me strive to be the best I could be.
I hope you also enjoy the “other” book – do you mean Tony Kevin’s? I read it when I came home from walking, because my husband had tracked my path through it as I walked. I found it to be tender and wise, and full of lots of terrific information about history and contemporary politics around the world. He is a remarkable man, Mr Kevin. Brave and true to his principles.
I’m sure you could walk a lone camino, you know. It really is one foot then the other. The only thing is that now that the crisis has bitten Spain so hard, I fear for all those kind people. Today’s paper is full of the trouble besetting them, and also the timely reminder of how fragile their political stability could be, given that they are only 40 years on from Franco and democracy is relatively new. I hope I can get back sometime soon. I would like to return a few kindnesses.
Thanks also for following the blog. Subscribers make me want to try harder to offer up something worthy!
Ailsa,How very thoughtful of you to write back to me. I cried whilst reading some of the passages in your book and rang my daughter to tell her just how much your book “got through to me!” It was Charlotte’s “Love and Hunger” that I took on our wonderful family holiday in Bali and it, too, had quite an effect on me and gave me back a little incentive to do more cooking again as I used to do many years ago. Yes, it is Tony Kevin’s book I was referring to and I was very interested to read in your book that your husband was reading it while you were busy walking the Camino. I will read it when we are all away in queensland during the next school hols.Have just bought another copy of your wonderful “Sinning…” and will lend it to my husband for him to take away, my other copy is with friends and I don’t feel like ringing them and requesting it back too soon. I do hope you are feeling a little healed after your hideous fall, I used to be like that, but started going to Pilates classes with my physio and (so far) seem to be able to do a little “trip” and recover upright! We loved Spain when we visited and drove around quite extensively some years ago and found the people most welcoming and very friendly towards us. Might say I have also told a few of my friends about the interview and advised them not to miss it even though I did have to sit at my computer for a while!
Wish I could get to one of your little talks but living where we do it is a somewhat hard to leave here and get into the real ‘burbs’ and can’t see us ever retiring and moving back into the inner City. My thoughts are often with you and your wonderful book – the people you met along the way and don’t forget that it goes both ways, you gave out a lot of yourself to them and it was returned. My best wishes to you.
Bertina
Dear Bertina,
I loved all that detail about what you have been reading and how it has affected you. Thanks for buying another copy of Sinning. As I wrote in yesterday’s post, to be given as a gift remains one of the loveliest things that has happened to me with the book!
And off to Queensland next. How terrific. Your life sounds amazingly busy and full, and I can perfectly understand why you have no need of the inner city. And the life lived in books is so rich and varied, isn’t it? I feel I have been at an extended dinner party hosted by Robert Dessaix these last few days as I’ve read his book, so I understand what you mean when you say that your thoughts turn to my book. If we read with attention, it is like we are there, with a new friend. I’m so grateful my book has done that in some small way for you.
Enjoy these glorious spring days. The wattle is so amazing isn’t it?
Ailsa
Hi Ailsa
way back in May I posted a comment about walking part (turned out to be 170 klms)of the Camino with 3 friends.Well, we did it and are home and back at work. What an adventure we had! I loved it and would do it again tomorrow.Unfortunately the friend I spent most of my time walking with had bad blisters so that made it difficult for her/us.Anyone else thinking of walking even a part of the Camino as we did- prepare your feet and walk your boots in over months.I did (Merrills of course) and had no problems what ever. I often thought of you Ailsa as I walked along and wished several times that I could enjoy the solitude you did even though I enjoyed the company of good friends and the gratitude of my injured friend for sticking with her to see she was OK – (how could I not!) The feeling of reaching the Cathedral in Santiago and the Pilgrims office in indescribable isn’t it? And the Spanish people- what can I say? How wonderful and welcoming they are.
Kind regards Ailsa and thank you once again for a wonderful book
Cherie
PS. I had several Vino Tintos for you!
Dear Cherie,
Enhorabuena!!!! Congratulations!
Arrival is a most wonderful feeling isn’t it? Mixed somehow, too, because it means the end of the journey. I bet you will dream of going back and walking other roads now.
Or maybe not. maybe that is my greed!
Thank you so much for thinking of me – and for raising the vino tinto glass. Very important! I hope that the transition back to home has been gentle and easy, and that your friend’s poor feet are recovered. Glad that your Merrells proved as reliable as mine. I think we’re lucky if we have feet that fit a shoe variety well. Some of my friends have never found the perfect hiking boot for them and it makes it very difficult.
Oh so much pleasure in even thinking about walking! And those Spanish with their open hearts and hands…
Thanks again for letting me know how you went, and may the road continue to be kind.
Ailsa x
Hi Ailsa
Can your publishers make the book available on amazon.co.uk? I think it would sell well on the site and also through the Confraternity of St James, who run two refugios in Spain and recommend camino books to their members. My wife and I went on camino together last year from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago, and I’d like to get it for her birthday, which we celebrated in a great bar we found in Leon which was marking its own 95th anniversary. [Bar Saint Roman, Lopez Castrillon 7, Barrio Romantico for anyone interested.] By the way, I love the book cover. As a publisher myself, I’m sure it accords with the old publishing adage.
Happy walking!
Michael from London
Hello Michael,
I would love for it to be available internationally, because the pilgrim community is so important to me. At present, an agent is shopping it about for UK rights. Not sure how much interest there is, but I’m hoping. If they don’t succeed I will ask about Amazon. I’m not clear on how these things operate, but will certainly let people know here on the blog if and when anything changes. Thanks so much for your interest – and for the comment on the cover. The designer did a beautiful job – and I’m proud my photo got used on the back. Will keep you posted. Happy birthday belatedly to your wife. Sounds like a great celebration!
Buen camino, peregrino.
Ailsa, Just wanted to contact you to let you know of plans a few colleagues of mine have for an Aussie Camino. I am currently training to walk from Lourdes to Santiago in July and August later this year. I have seen the Movie The Way a number of times and heard you speak with Tony last year in Melbourne. My sisters are currently reading your book Sinning Across Spain. My entire family(six siblings) is hooked on the Movie and the life lessons it has taught us.
My friends (a group of Catholic school teachers from Victoria) have designed an Aussie Camino starting at Geelong and finishing at Penola so we can have our own Aussie pilgrimage. Hopefully this will develop a similar tradition for centuries to come like Santiago.
I thought I would let you know as you are ‘Ms. Camino Australia’ at the moment.Who knows you may even like to join us for a small part of the walk which we will be doing from the April 3 to April 11 this year.
Would welcome any ideas or thoughts you have on this adventure we are about to undertake.
Hi Michael,
My only thoughts are admiration and astonishment. What an undertaking. How beautiful and profound. Might you try to include any indigenous stories or trails? It could be a very beautiful thing to work with some of the local people to include their history. And it is very enticing to consider joining you. I’m not sure where I will be in April, but if time and tides allow, I shall be walking with you. Beautiful.
And then Lourdes! Wow. It will be pretty warm on the trail then, but what a quest. What inspiration. I’m so touched that my book has a small part in your story, along with The Way. How those roads enrich us all. Aren’t we lucky?
Deep gratitude from Ms Camino Australia!
That really made me smile.
Yes, I concur Ailsa – brilliant idea of Michael and mates for equivalent Camina Australiana – in this ancient land – especially if including aspects of the Indigenous peoples whose countries (Songlines?) will be traversed. How fantastic! Having just read Bill GAMMAGE’s The Biggest Estate on Earth (2011) seeing far more clearly the beauty and majesty of the “farming” efforts of the Indigenous peoples of Australia – right across the continent and Tasmania. (Could even take descriptions from his book to place at points along the way…?) Buen camino, amigos!
Just now listening to Gary SHEARSTON – Australian folk-singer/song-writer extraordinaire – his Here & There, Now & Then compilation – singing the stories of Australia back into its Indigenous heritage too – from 50+ years ago!
Yes, I concur Ailsa – brilliant idea of Michael and mates for equivalent Camina Australiana – in this ancient land – especially if including aspects of the Indigenous peoples whose countries (Songlines?) will be traversed. How fantastic! Having just read Bill GAMMAGE’s The Biggest Estate on Earth (2011) seeing far more clearly the beauty and majesty of the “farming” efforts of the Indigenous peoples of Australia – right across the continent and Tasmania. (Could even take descriptions from his book to place at points along the way…?) Buen camino, amigos!
Just now listening to Gary SHEARSTON – Australian folk-singer/song-writer extraordinaire – his Here & There, Now & Then compilation – singing the stories of Australia back into its Indigenous heritage too – from 50+ years ago!
Ms. Camino Australia. I have a background letter and timetable for the Aussie Camino walk in April. Would it be best to send it to your agent’s email address or please advise otherwise. Michael.
Hi Michael,
Would you mind emailing it to my agent at sydney@jameslaurie.com – I am i the process of reconsidering my email and service providers so that is safest for now. Agh – the digital world!
Can’t wait to get it.
Thanks so much.
Ailsa
Done. Michael
Hi Ailsa
I loved your book and am in awe of your courage to walk alone and also to walk such long distances most days. My partner and I are planning to walk from Le Puy to the spanish border and then walk the Camino Frances next year. He would like to arrive at Santiago for his 60th birthday! I looked with great interest at the items you took, in particular the Aarn backpack. I have an Osprey backpack about the same weight that is giving me problems (not the right size unfortunately), and am thinking of buying another pack. I looked at an Aarn Mountain Magic 50 and it is so different to ‘normal’ packs, and I wondered how you went with the balance packs at the front? It certainly felt comfortable in the store but it was challenging to work out the fit correctly. Thanks so much again for such a wonderful read and journey.
Hi Annie,
Wow. That will be a brilliant walk. Would love to do it. And beautiful to arrive for the 60th. In terms of packs – yes, work as hard as you can to get the RIGHT one. It’s essential. I loved the Aarn, as you know, but I didn’t use the front packs. Didn’t buy them, though if I was planning a trip where I needed to carry more weight, I would most certainly get them, as I do think it suits my body very well. But that’s the key – it suits me. Painful though it may be, I think you have to test and re-test until you have that “just right” feeling. Good luck with it!
Thanks for your lovely comments on the book. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. But with regard to the “courage” of walking those distances – it’s not fair of me to claim that for a minute. I LOVE those distances! My great challenge is to go back and walk 18 to 20 kilometres a day, in the manner of a snail. I have been promising myself that for three years. It will take more chutzpah than the big days, I promise.
Buen camino. May it be beautiful. xxx
Thanks so much for your advice Ailsa.
Hola Aisla…. claro que sigo conectando contigo y tus palabras!
Por fin lei tu libro después de tu taller en Rose Bay (Febrero).
Pides poesia y un amigo de madrid me lo mando y te lo paso aqui… Rosalía de Castro (February 24 1837 – July 15 1885), una Gallega !
Que sigas buscando las palabras escritas ….. Lucy
http://theinkbrain.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/rosalia-de-castro-selected-poems/
Adiós rios, adios fontes.
Adiós, ríos; adios, fontes;
adios, regatos pequenos;
adios, vista dos meus ollos:
non sei cando nos veremos.
Miña terra, miña terra,
terra donde me eu criei,
hortiña que quero tanto,
figueiriñas que prantei,
prados, ríos, arboredas,
pinares que move o vento,
paxariños piadores,
casiña do meu contento,
muíño dos castañares,
noites craras de luar,
campaniñas trimbadoras,
da igrexiña do lugar,
amoriñas das silveiras
que eu lle daba ó meu amor,
caminiños antre o millo,
¡adios, para sempre adios!
¡Adios groria! ¡Adios contento!
¡Deixo a casa onde nacín,
deixo a aldea que conozo
por un mundo que non vin!
Deixo amigos por estraños,
deixo a veiga polo mar,
deixo, en fin, canto ben quero…
¡Quen pudera non deixar!…
Mais son probe e, ¡mal pecado!,
a miña terra n’é miña,
que hastra lle dan de prestado
a beira por que camiña
ó que naceu desdichado.
Téñovos, pois, que deixar,
hortiña que tanto amei,
fogueiriña do meu lar,
arboriños que prantei,
fontiña do cabañar.
Adios, adios, que me vou,
herbiñas do camposanto,
donde meu pai se enterrou,
herbiñas que biquei tanto,
terriña que nos criou.
Adios Virxe da Asunción,
branca como un serafín;
lévovos no corazón:
Pedídelle a Dios por min,
miña Virxe da Asunción.
Xa se oien lonxe, moi lonxe,
as campanas do Pomar;
Que buena, Lucy. Hermosa. Poesia para el corazón!
A new poet is always such a treat, and yes, the camino for the words is my quest.
I am so glad that the book connected with you. Rose Bay, and my time there, continues to be a source of great inspiration and wonder.
Que tengas muchos días de felicidad y paz.
Gracias, amiga. Muchas gracias.
Ailsa xx
I have followed Lucy TORRES’ link to the poetry of Rosalía de Castro – with essays and poetry translated into English – good for the nuances – given my surface level broad strokes understanding of Spanish. I love those who understand the importance of language – that variants – of the version of the capital – are equally as important – whether of Galician alongside Castilian (or standard English alongside Geordie or Scouse)! (This reminds of the writer MIYAZAWA Kenji – early 20th century – in northern Japan – celebrating the regional language – against the same kinds of negativity identified by Rosalía.) And her feelings of the jeering from Castile of her beautiful if impoverished Galicia with all the suffering she saw in those mid-latter 19th century days – of the women especially – yet she shows compassion too for the men – those who left … Thanks, Lucy.
Hi Ji,
Yes they are fascinating and vital, those awarenesses of the subterranean – or surface in many cases – dialects and other languages. They shed light on why there was a divergence, and what the divergence was about. The pride. The heart. So intriguing. I love the sound of Galician. And I, like you, find the poem deeply moving. And it reminds me of the Irish experience, too – their landscapes are so closely aligned, and their poetry may be too. Thanks for stopping by, and yes, thanks again Lucy.
Hi Ms. Camino Australia. Michael here. I wrote back in February explaining how a couple of colleagues and myself planned to walk from Portland to Penola (home of our only saint Mary McKillop) to create our own Aussie Camino. Mission accomplished !!!! We ended up walking from Portland (Mary McKillop worked here as well) to Penola via Port Macdonnell in South Australia. A little over 200km in one week. People along ‘The Way’ (pun intended) were very enthusiastic about our pilgrimage. A great training run for my Lourdes to Santiago venture in July and August.
We were taken out for dinner and welcomed by many in the Penola community as the first pilgrims. The walk generated much enthusiasm and excitement amongst the locals. They shouted us out for a meal and drinks as well. !!
I will send you my diary once completed. Buen Camino. Michael.
Great achievement Michael. Wonderful. Now for Lourdes..
Gracias.
Hi Ailsa,
I wanted to let you know that your book was inspirational. I have just returned from walking the Camino and it has changed my life.
Along the way I met an Australian couple who were walking the Camino because they read your book and saw you talk at the BBWF.
(I was your workshop assistant at the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival in 2012.)
Best wishes,
Penny
Dear Penny,
I remember you so well from Byron, and am hugely touched that you wrote to tell me of your experience. I could not be happier for you. That road sure does do something, doesn’t it? I hope that it continues to open up for you, and that every step is in beauty.
Buen camino, pilgrim.
Love and gratitude.
Ailsa
Ailsa, I have just finished Sinning Across Spain, and want to say well done and thanks. I feel that I have walked with you, and shared the vies, but been spared the bone and muscle ache. I also enjoyed the spiritual ruminations.
I walk, but not like that!
Dear Greg,
Thanks so much for stopping by to tell me. I’m really chuffed that you enjoyed it, and so grateful for the feedback. I’m hoping to get out and walk like that again sometime, but for now I am seated for hours on end, trying to finish the next book. The word camino is harder!
Hi Ailsa,
I have just finished reading your wonderfull, poetic book. I feel as though I have walked the road with you in spirit. I lost my mother over twenty years ago and still miss her everyday, and sadly, my father died three years ago. Your words about love and loss really resonated with me.
Thank you for this special gift!
Warm wishes,
Anna
Ps And thank you for giving me this book, (together with Bruno), and for contributing to Platform 14.
Dear Anna,
What a beautiful note. Thank you so much for stopping in to give me such warm words. I’m so sorry for the loss of your Mum and Dad. It never really goes away – that particular ache. And maybe we wouldn’t really want it to. Somehow it is the measure of the love, after a time.
Anyway, I’m very grateful that the book spoke to you. Also grateful to the wonderful Bruno – one of the world’s great connectors, isn’t he?
I look forward to Platform.
Love and gratitude,
Ailsa x