It is with sadness that I make this post in memory of Dennis Chamberlain a fellow perrigrino who passed away while hiking on the Camino.
My deepest sympathies to Denis’ family for their loss.
I met Dennis in Burgos, Spain in front of the Cathedral Sep 26, 2016 when we were both doing the Camino Frances. I was lost looking for my hotel. Seeing my Canadian flag on my pack he came to help a fellow Canuck and helped me locate it. He was staying a few days in Burgos nursing some bad blisters. Ray a Brit he came to know was staying with him.
3 days later we cross paths again in Carrion de Los Condes, Ray, Dennis and I wearing the same colour blue shirts. What is the chance of meeting like that or what looked like wearing “team perrigrino shirts”!
We had dinner together that night and Dennis and I order the pork shank pilgrim dinner which was a 3- 4 pound roast! I don’t know how he finished it but I had pork sandwiches for 2 days. I never saw them again.
… until 2019 hiking the Elgin trail in Canada I see the Camino patch on Dennis’ pack. He (living not far from me) looked familiar….we shared stories of our Camino and made the connection.
We hiked several times together on future local hikes. The most memorable for me is from the Blue Mountain E2E Aug 6-8, 2019 that Dennis organized and led for the four of us, Dan, Dennis, Steve and myself. 3 guys and a gal. I had so much fun on that hike. A pic of us treating ourselves to ice cream at the end of one of our days.
If anyone is wondering if they should or shouldn’t attempt a camino, my advice is – don’t wait. Life is too short. My Camino Frances experience was amazing and although I did it solo I received the gift of meeting so many wonderful people from around the world. They were gifts that enriched my experience.
I plan to do the Camino Norde next year. I hope I will be blessed to meet some of you along the way.
Rest in Peace Dennis. May you be on a Heavenly Camino.
