Later in June I will be heading off to Porto in Portugal to start my biggest journey to date.
I am going to be undertaking the Camino de Santiago. Wheeling from Porto in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
This really is a big journey and also a very important fundraiser for Parkinsons UK.
The journey will be something over 150 miles but in the spirit of pilgrimage I won’t know how far or indeed when the end will be until I do it.
I have various options for the route, I’ll start at the Cathedral in Porto and initially follow the coast but then may divert inland to experience the villages and higher ground. I then have the option of returning to the coast to follow the Camino Spiritual or continuing direct to Santiago. I may end in Santiago or continue to Finstra, it will depend on how I feel and when I feel the pilgrimage is over.
My internal reasons behind this trip are to work on my mental health, experience other cultures, meet people from all over the world and gain a sense of achievement.
The other huge reason is my dad! He has Parkinsons and during the pandemic we’ve seen a huge dip in his abilities. He is amazing and completed his own challenge recently when we took a trip up Orest Head in the Lake District, dad in the powerchair, me in the manual and my mother also made a huge achievement in walking to the top! So I want to raise money for Parkinsons UK, for people to get support and to help fund research in this debilitating condition.
This trip will have a lower daily mileage than previous challenges, however the personal challenge is no less. I will be traveling alone. This will be my first trip abroad in 15 years and my second as a wheelchair user, first trip solo! I will be staying in pilgrim hostels and living as basically as I can.
Please come on this journey with me. Due to the spiritual nature I might not be replying to your comments immediately but I will be providing updates via the WheelieMum page as frequently as possible. If you can show your support on the page and by supporting Parkinsons UK.
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