Camino trek finished in memory of John Westoby (former skipper of BR20/BRE Ella)

[Lwestoby]

11 days ago I returned to home from my pilgrimage to Santiago di Compstela along the last 114km of the Camino Francès from Sarria. As most of you know already, I undertook this challenge in memory of my beloved husband and skipper John who died in July last year. It really was the most incredible experience to have walked this distance over 5 days in the company of 16 like minded women plus our really amazingly brilliant guides Silvia and Jaime. Also there was our equally lovely and caring rep Jude from the Different Travel Company which organised the trip for St Michael's Hospice, Hereford. Plus the caring, inimitable and proudly Irish Peter from the Hospice's spiritual care team, who was always there for us and was very helpful to me at one point in our journey.

We were lucky to have very little rain during our walk, but even more so to have such companionship along the way. We had a day also to explore Santiago. Many of us attended  the Pilgrims' Mass in the Cathedral, held daily at noon. For me this was the culmination of the whole experience. It helped to give meaning to the idea behind the pilgrimage, from the start of preparation and fundraising to the moment we walked into the square in front of the Cathedral where the pilgrimage ends.
This group of "Peregrinas" will have a lifetime bond, we all feel, and a bond too with our leaders and guides. And between us so far we have raised over £55,000 for the Hospice, with sponsorship yet remaining open until 15th November. And with the help of a substantial chunk from the sailing community, my total raised in sponsorship and donations for the hospice is just over £6000, plus gift aid. So very many thanks to those of you who have been kind enough to sponsor me. I have had a few generous sponsorships from kind people who have preferred to remain anonymous, so if they are reading this please may I say a huge thank you.

Now life and what one perceives as "normality" resumes. A part of me remains in Galicia quietly plodding the kilometres by and reflecting not only on loss, but how lucky I am to have the active and genuine love and support of so many friends and of course my family. There was the chance to think of my friends, and what makes each one special.
 
Thank you doesn't seem enough for how much all the support and encouragement that you in the sailing community have given me has meant me.

The pictures below show our arrival in front of the Cathedral, skipper John at Mylor, my Compostela (certificate of completion of the pilgrimage) and a misty dawn with a painted sky along the Camino.