Martyn Dawes

Travel writer and author exploring the places, people and moments that make journeys unforgettable, from the Camino to far beyond.

About

Martyn Dawes is a travel writer and author with a curious, human perspective on the places he visits. His writing blends observation, gentle humour and reflection, exploring adventure, slow travel, culture and the people encountered along the way.

He writes travel features, destination stories, personal essays and human-interest pieces, with a focus on experiences that go beyond conventional sightseeing.

Man standing on rocks overlooking the sea

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I was pickpocketed in Guatemala, but that wasn’t the real story.

Putting my hand in my pocket, I already knew what I would find. Nothing. My wallet was gone

Chickens in a Cathedral?!

The sun beats down on Plaza del Santo, the small, hot, and dusty, central square of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Anyone standing in the square for even a few minutes will notice a steady stream of hikers arrive, take off their backpacks, lean their walking poles against a wall, and marvel at the buildings around them. They have arrived at one of the most important, and famous, landmarks on the pilgrimage trail to Santiago de Compostela. On one side of the square sits a Parado

Be Prepared!

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail” - Proverb I laid out the contents of my rucksack on the bed and gave everything a proper once-over. The goal was simple: try to keep it under 9kg. Any more than that and the weight pressing down through the spine and hips would soon turn into aching joints, sore shoulders, or worse, blisters. The rule of thumb was clear enough: around 10% of body weight. For me, that gave a ceiling of roughly 8.8kg. Time to work. There is something od

My Books

When The Camino Calls

At sixty one, recently retired and searching for answers, Martyn Dawes answered the Call Of The Camino sets out on the Camino Francés, the legendary pilgrimage route from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela.

Starting Walking the Way to Santiago. What begins as a challenge to walk 800 kilometres becomes something far more unexpected.

There are mountains and blisters, exhaustion and doubt. But there are also friendships with strangers who quickly become family, moments of laughter, unexpected acts of kindness and the strange freedom that comes from carrying everything you need on your back.

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The Overwhelmed Manager

The Overwhelmed Manager explains why capable managers experience stress, overwhelm and burnout, and more importantly, what they can do about it. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience and decades of leadership experience, this book provides practical tools to help you reduce workplace stress, improve resilience and become a calmer, more confident, and effective leader.

Whether you're a first-time manager or an experienced leader, you'll discover techniques that you can apply immediately.

The Anxiety Antidote

This is not like other books on anxiety, stress and overwhelm.

It is NOT a book about strategies, 5 step programmes, and working on your mindset.

It IS about possibilities, and a fresh new way of seeing the world that will change EVERYTHING, effortlessly.

In this book you will learn how to live again.

Get in Touch

If you would like to work with me to commission new pieces for you publication please get in touch.