Through the Pyrenees and Navarre to the home of El Cid
Sandy Ross, a stalwart of Weston Super Mare Samaritans for twenty-two years, recently completed a tough 120 mile trek through France and northern Spain to help boost our funds.
Her 14 day journey along the ancient Camino Trail took her from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France through the mountainous Basque Country to Pamplona in Spain, and the hilly Navarra region, ending up in the medieval city of Burgos.
Sandy, who worked as a nurse for 52 years has always loved walking and had wanted to walk the trail for a long time. At 77 years old, she felt that it was 'now or never'! She told us. “This is an ancient pilgrimage walk and as I approach the twilight of my years, what better place could there be to contemplate my past and present life."
Sandy is also a keen swimmer and regularly practices yoga as well as walking, so she was ready for the challenge. She fought through pain (a bit of a knee problem), high winds and occasional rain. She climbed every mountain and forded every stream. She met some wonderful people along the way, and stayed in some fascinating places. Having arrived in Burgos, she travelled on to Bilbao where jumped into her car, got the ferry to Plymouth and promptly drove back home to Rooksbridge.
She has set a fundraising target of £1500 to be split between three good causes (Samaritans, Healing Hands and Link Community Development). You can still support her effort. Visit her fundraising page: https://buff.ly/2TMfufQ