About us
Doug McPhillips , adventurer and founder of Caminoway.com.au commenced this journey of discovery over a decade ago as a result of life changing experiences.The broad and expansive journey of his Camino is more than a geographic excursion.
The many tracks he traversed on the Camino de Santiago taught lessons of health, wealth and happiness. The people he met along the way and the inward discovery on his 800km trek from St. Jean-pied-de-Port in France to Santiago Spain has resulted in his albums of poetry, songs and a novel of his life experience inspired by the journey.
Doug has also walked the Portugese Camino from Lisbon to Santiago and twice walked the French route.
He has also produced the essentials of walking gear and a survival kit for experienced and inexperienced walkers.
SYNOPSIS- Sword of Discernment- See books page.
The Sword of Discernment is a mythical goal of a pilgrim seeking an outward symbol of his inner discernment. The heart of the teller of this journey links the sword of St. James and the Templar Knights to an expression of a metaphoric search for meaning in this imaginary goal, which he believes will be granted by the time he reaches Santiago.
It is the story of Doug's 800km spiritual journey on the Camino de Santiago, along the paths trekked by pilgrims for over 1000 years, making their weary way to the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral where the relics of St. James the apostle of Christ are reported to be located.
Throughout the book we learn about St. James,the reason why so many make the pilgrimage and much of the fascinating history of northern Spain from biblical times to the mediaeval period and beyond and read about The Way's ancient myths and legends- many of which are believed even today.
Doug befriends many pilgrims on The Way, he shares with us snippets of their lives-their loves. sorrows and successes - and lessons he learned from his fellow pilgrims.
We accompany Doug, step by pounding step, suffering the agony of his perpetually blistered feet and swollen ankles and the pain of walking on a variety of surfaces while ascending the Pyrenees over the hills, valleys and plains pf Northern Spain. As an older man, his Camino de Santiago journey was undeniably an extremely physical journey, more significantly, it was a spiritual and emotional journey, from darkness to light, resulting in his awakening into an enlightened existence, not burdened by the need -nor even the desire-for the material manifestations of what society usually considers marks the of success in this world.
It's a chronicle of the myths, legends and folklore Doug experiences along the Way and a soul searching tale which is fused with the life experiences of other Pilgrims Doug encounters on this journey.
Appearing throughout the story are several of Doug's poems ,inspired either by people he met or events he encountered along The Way and from earlier life. All are written in an engagingly musical and enjoyable style , adding to the overall experience of sharing Doug's remarkable journey.
There is much to be enjoyed , and a great deal to be learned from this inspirational book, Doug's hope is that readers will become inspired to make the pilgrimage themselves.
Click here for our TOUR DETAILS
Doug was one of the panel members of the special Q+A preview screening of "Walking the Camino" - an independently produced documentary film that captures the trials and tribulations of six modern-day pilgrims as they cope with blisters, exhaustion, loneliness, and self-doubt to triumph over the fears and prejudices that have become roadblocks in their own lives.
Profit from the sale of Doug's books, songs and walking gear helps support those in need.
