A father. A son.
Two years and 800 kilometres on the Camino.
- 800 KM kilometres
- 34 stages
- 9 trips
- 2 years
Glimpses stage by stage
Extract
“
San Fermín is like nothing else on earth. Every July, for nine consecutive days and nights, the city of Pamplona loses its mind in the most joyous way imaginable. The streets fill with San Fermines dressed in their traditional white and red-white shirts and trousers, red pañuelos around their necks, red sashes at their waists. Local bands parade day and night through the old town, and the music never stops. The bars never close. The parties never end. Sleep is not just unlikely; it's almost frowned upon ...
”

About Martin
Martin's first book, Glimpses along the Way draws on personal journals, photographs and memories from nine Camino trips over two years, as well as broader experience of Spain stretching back decades.
Martin works as solicitor and lives in Belfast with his wife Tara and five children.
Reviews
I loved it so much! It is a beautiful testimony of your journey in so many ways. You feel like you are right there, feeling the physical exhaustion, seeing the beauty of the landscape, the ancient wisdom of the villages, bridges, churches, feeling the warmth and camaraderie of the pilgrims and the special bond you have with your children in different capacities.
I especially loved all the food references and descriptions... and of course the 'viva la gente' chapter brought back such amazing memories. It makes me want to walk it but at the same time feel I already have in a way. My heart felt full as I read, and kept getting fuller the more I read. I did shed a few tears. I couldn’t stop reading once I started
To say that I thoroughly enjoyed “Glimpses Along the Way” would be a huge understatement! The Camino has always fascinated me and having visited the area in my youth, this book has left me keen to explore this area again soon. For me the book confirmed the spirit of the walk perfectly and I also enjoyed reading the personal anecdotes and recollections. I look forward to reading the sequel.
Buen Camino.
Outstanding! The story is such an overwhelmingly extraordinary and heroic narrative, I am at a loss for words to express my admiration for the wonderful family ethos and spirit it unfolds
A wonderful read from start to finish. Each day on the camino brought new challenges with a lot of humour and tender loving care. A father and son and other members of one family give an honest account of this amazing journey.
Just finished it- loved it. Very moving at the end, so well written. It's as much an autobiography as it is a travel book.
It is beautifully constructed and easy to read with the chapter per day format. Whilst there was a real narrative drive, the pacing felt unhurried - leisurely even.
I loved the personal history with the Camino with images of the changing countryside and anecdotes of the rich history of the towns and churches along the way.
The goal in walking the camino was to open up time and space to pause and reflect on life, on those who have preceded us and, via the lens of his children, those who follow us. This book has allowed the rest of us to participate in that journey. It's also a love letter to Tara and all the children of course - but everyone will understand that it is a paean in particular to Conor. The photos document his transition from boy to man-boy over the two years beautifully. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. It's a triumph.
A poignant, colourful and very funny paean to the Camino de Santiago. We're swept through spectacular northern Spain in a whirl of food, drink and memorable encounters.
But it's as the pace slows that we glimpse the book's true heart: family, connection and the simple pleasure of time spent together. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance for a new generation.
This is the warmest and most generous of books. My 'amigo-hermano' Martin walks the Camino de Santiago in stages mainly with his unbelievably resilient young son Conor, with his wife Tara and other children joining for different legs also. What makes the book special is Martin's twin passions for every part of the Camino and for his family. Between the miles, he weaves in short historical vignettes that both bring the pilgrimage's long past to life and shed insight into the personal lives of the Hanna family.
His curiosity extends into the present: the people you meet along the way, the stories they carry, and the many reasons people choose to walk. Seeing myself (unrecognisable by the way - would love to meet the guy…) through Martin’s eyes was a treat, but the real joy is the journey itself and the different layers of family life and history revealing themselves. It's part travelogue, part history, and part family portrait, written beautifully with real affection: a paean to his twin passions. Whether you've walked the Camino, dream of it, or simply love a story about families sharing an adventure, this book is a joy.
Share your memories
Have you walked the Camino, tackled another trail, or taken a journey you'll never forget? We'd love to hear about it.














