the story pilgrim
Discover the power of storytelling and the journey of self-discovery on life's pilgrimage. Join Darren as he walks ancient and modern pilgrim paths, unearthing the sacred stories that connect us all. From bustling cities to tranquil countryside, each episode weaves together personal reflections, ramblings, heartfelt conversations, and the rich histories of the places he explores. Whether you’re a traveller at heart, a seeker of wisdom, or someone who finds solace in nature’s embrace, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and a deeper connection to the world around us. Tune in and walk, take a hike, alongside Darren as he navigates the paths that shape our lives and communities.
the story pilgrim
Santo Domingo de Silos: Sad Hill
“There are two kinds of people in this world… those who remember, and those who forget.”
At Sad Hill Cemetery in northern Spain—a once-forgotten film set brought back to life—memory takes centre stage. In this episode, I walk through Santo Domingo de Silos and into the story-soaked silence of Sad Hill, where fiction, history, and grief blur at the edges.
I meet Nick and Noah, a father and son from Belgium making a quiet pilgrimage in memory of Nick’s brother, Tim. I speak with Sergio Garcia and Raquel from the Asociación Cultural Sad Hill, who led the painstaking restoration. And I sit down with Clemente, an 82-year-old shopkeeper whose life has spanned dictatorships, revolutions—and one unforgettable Western.
This isn’t nostalgia. It’s not tourism. It’s something older. A reminder that some places—real or imagined—hold onto the stories we can’t let go.
