As COP 30 approaches, here is part 2 of a serialised article recollecting activism I was involved in during the run up to COP26, back in 2021, to inspire us in our endeavours. The COP26 conference in Glasgow came at a critical time for the world, when commitments were needed to half COz emissions by 2030. It was hoped that the Coat of Hopes would be a way of encouraging and inspiring world leaders and delegates to do the right thing at the conference….
The recalcitrant patches had been returned to the pilgrims. By then, however, I found I had developed a penchant for being a pilgrim. And on discovering that the Coat of Hopes pilgrimage was part of a larger contingent of walkers self-described as ‘Caministas’, who had big plans in Glasgow, the thought occurred to me – what if I could join in with the Camino during the last week before they reached Glasgow? Then I would hopefully get to know enough people to make being up in Glasgow not to make it a potentially very daunting and lonely experience.
Part of an endeavour called the Camino to COP, these Caministas, who were inspired by the Spanish for pilgrimage – ‘camino’ literally means ‘way’ – were converging from various parts of the UK to become part of a larger group of walkers on a 56-day tour from London to Glasgow. Every day they would cover 10-15 miles, starting fairly early, and reaching their destination about 4:30pm. This would allow time for outreach events to the towns and villages they stayed in that evening. Usually the Caministas slept on church floors, so the privations of being a Caminista were very real. For example – my particular horror – no showers!
Because the Camino to COP WhatsApp group was open to all, it wasn’t long before I was keeping a very close eye on all the very many trials, travails and triumphs of the Caministas, as they made their way further and further north.
Naturally, this led me to want to join in as soon as I could, but for various reasons, this wasn’t possible until they were already some way into Scotland.
Catching up with the Camino
The main group of Caministas had already been selected through an application process before they commenced. This meant, that although it was fine for me to join in, each day, as a day walker, I had to find my own overnight accommodation. Fortunately, I had a solution readily to hand, in the shape of our camper van! Setting out from Birmingham, the van was loaded to the gunnels. Rather too full in fact – I had set out prepared for every eventuality. Because the Coat needed a mannequin to be worn upon while it was on display in St George’s Tron Church, near George Square in Glasgow, I had even brought Geraldine the dummy, made famous by her TV appearance wearing the coat, secreted in the toilet compartment. (This did make it difficult to use for its intended purpose, as I found out to my later detriment, but space was at a premium – and sacrifices needed to be made!)
I had persuaded Rachel to join me for part of the Camino as it was during half-term. We set off in a very heavy van, that wouldn’t travel faster than 60 miles an hour. Although the weather was sunny and clear, soon we hit traffic, which delayed us by about three hours, such that we were still in England when the evening and rain set in, and our destination the south of Strathaven still seemed a long way to go.
Fortunately, salvation arrived in the shape of the Tebay services and, although it was pricey, a night in the Tebay overnight hotel proved irresistible! Unfortunately at that point we discovered that the van’s water tank had somehow overflowed.
Later that evening was the first sign that someone might have been watching over me in my expedition – one of the walkers had some free spaces for five nights in a shared room in a Glasgow youth hostel…
Although I might be taking to the streets, I wouldn’t be sleeping on them, for my first week in Glasgow, at least!
Joy in Enough 