Jakobsweg: Do I have to have a reason for going for a walk?

You don't have to have an excuse or explanation for going on a walk, but when there are so many possibilities, it's sometimes easier to follow a prearranged route. Decisions about how far, how long and which direction are made for you, so your only responsibility is to get to the starting point, ... and make it to the finish. Hence the choice to start with a well-trodden path, Jakobsweg, or the route to Santiago to Compostela in northern Spain. However, although there are many starting points across Europe, as I currently live in Switzerland, I decided to start my trek at the German/Swiss border. As it says in the on-line guide <jakobsweg.ch>, "While formerly, many pilgrims to Santiago arrived in the harbour of Rorschach by boat coming from Lindau, most wanderers of our time arrive at the railway station ...", which is also where I started on a grey and misty day in October (14th)2010. Coming out of the harbour station, and feeling rather nervous about what felt like the start of an enormous undertaking, all on my own, I had a moment of panic. How was I going to find which way to go? Following the website instructions, I strolled along the harbour area, round a corner and found myself in front of my first landmark, the "Jakobsbrunnen" or St James' well.

From there the scallop shell signs led through the old streets, past an enormous church, through a residential area and out of Rorschach town.

Rorschach to St Gallen

Although I had intended to continue on from Sankt Gallen to Herisau, when I arrived in St Gallen I decided that the town deserved more than just a cursory visit. The cathedral and Abbey square are stunning, while the surrounding old town is extremely attractive. I managed to arrive in time to visit the abbey library, which exudes ancient learning. After so much walking, the shops were also a great attraction, so rather than continue, I spent a good few hours wandering after which I took the train home.