Day -1!

My case is packed and my rucksack also. So now I’m in a period of reflection. My partner in crime in all this sent me a message earlier saying “where have the last 15 months gone, can’t believe we’re going tomorrow!” Well , I can’t really – one minute I was enthused to do it by a Spanish friend and the next I committed to it. If you’ve read my previous blogs you will know that apart from previous experience, I was deeply moved by the death of a young friend of our daughter Emma and of a very special friend of ours .

Alistair knew we were going to do this – when I first told Kathleen I was going to do this walk in his memory, she told me “The Way” ( a beautiful film starring Martin Sheen) was the last film they had watched together. Alistair , typically so caring, told Kathleen that when she did the walk to make sure she was safe. Now dear reader, when I first decided I would do the walk I was trying to work out how I could possibly carry my worldly goods on my back – whilst I’ve used a small rucksack before to carry the dogs water and a bowl my experience of proper ruck-sacking is zilch ! Then I had to get my head round staying in multi bed dormitories on my own ……..

So when Kathleen said she wanted to come with me , I was delighted – someone to share it with . Not only that , she asked if I’d mind if we stayed in B & B’s because of Alistair’s previous concerns. – you can imagine my response. Then she found a company who would look after us on the way- what could I say…. I am SO glad she will be with me on this journey. If past experience of the two of us out and about is to go by , you are all in for a good read!!!

I fully understand that many people view the Camino experience differently. I am not saying I wouldn’t want to do it all in the true pilgrim way ( in fact I have already said I would like to take it on with one or more of my grandchildren in years to come – and no I don’t ever learn!!!) but for Kathleen and I, now, this is right. It is our pilgrimage , not anyone elses.

My case and rucksack are ready , but also my heart is packed too with all the people who have touched my life, young and old, no longer with us, and those living with the disease, that I will be carrying with me on this journey.

So thank you, each and everyone of you – get your boots on, and off we go!