Cazzie & Al walk part of the Camino de Santiago

On the 4th May, in memory of my son Jamie, Al, my partner, and I will be following the Pilgrim’s way from the beautiful city of Porto (Portugal) along the Camino Portuguese coastal route, leading to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, believed to be the resting place of St James the Great.

It will be a pretty tough walk covering over 160 miles in 14 days but, alongside my reasons for doing this, I would also like to hopefully raise some money for Synergy Peer Support Community Group in Brighton, something that I have been involved with for several years now, of which Jamie was a member.

This group was started in 2009 and has provided a safe meeting place for adults who have experienced serious mental health difficulties. The atmosphere is welcoming, supportive and non judgemental, and members naturally form friendships, and Synergy aims to empower people to manage their own recovery and support others in theirs.

It has been a lifeline to so many. Unfortunately, due to the recent economic downturn, grants and funds from the council and other large bodies have dried up. 

I have set up this fundraising page and all at Synergy would be so grateful for any contributions (however small) that you might be willing to donate.

Al and I will let you know if we make it! And hopefully send a picture of us outside the Cathedral!! 

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We made it! We arrived on Thursday night around 8 pm after 28kms- quite a long last leg of the journey but the sight of the Cathedral was uplifting. On Friday we went to the Pilgrim service in the Cathedral - very moving - and then picked up our certificates. Now having lunch watching more Pilgrims arrive. It’s been a special experience for us both - never to be forgotten .

Over the last three days we have walked from Vigo to Caldes De Reis mostly inland through forests , country lanes and small Spanish villages. The amount of pilgrims along the route has grown and the weather changing from bright sunshine to heavy rainfall. We are down to circa 45 km to travel before we reach Santiago De Compostella.

It’s day 7 and we’ve just finished walking 100 miles and reached Vigo in Spain.

Today’s been a mixture of rugged rocky coastlines , beautiful long sandy beaches and strong waves for surfers , and local residential roads ending in the vibrant dockland area in Vigo.

It’s been an amazing journey, with many memorable & spiritual experiences.The terrain has been varied - boardwalks near beaches , climbing through eucalyptus and pine forests , rugged hillside climbs on dry boulder watercourses and occasional urban roads.

We leave Vigo on Sunday morning inland to Arcade.

It’s day 7 and we’ve just finished walking 100 miles and reached Vigo in Spain.

Today’s been a mixture of rugged rocky coastlines , beautiful long sandy beaches and strong waves for surfers , and local residential roads ending in the vibrant dockland area in Vigo. It’s been an amazing journey, with many memorable & spiritual experiences. The terrain has been varied - boardwalks near beaches , climbing through eucalyptus and pine forests , rugged hillside climbs on dry boulder watercourses and occasional urban roads.

We leave Vigo on Sunday morning inland to Arcade.

The walk begins! Day one - the beginning of our journey - Porto to Povoa de Varzim - 16.7 miles ( 27 km ).

And now we're ready to start the next section of the Camino - from Vila Praia de Ancora in Portugal to La Guada as we cross the border to Spain  

Day 5 of the walk and this one is 8 miles ( 13 km)