Andrew's Camino 780 km Walk - for 4 very different causes
Thursday 25th April 2024
UK
Andrew Mitchell
3139
Andrew's Camino 780 km Walk - for 4 very different causes
I am embarking on the ancient pilgrimage of the Camino Frances on 24 April. Starting my walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishing in the historic city of Santiago de Compostela, I am hoping the journey will take me approximately 35 days based on an average of 15.5 miles per day.
I am raising money for 4 charities:
1. Gloucester Cathedral
With a 1,300 year long history, the Cathedral is one of the most significant heritage destinations in the South West of England. A living, breathing building, the Cathedral sees a huge amount of activity taking place every day of the year. Its world-famous architecture, including the magnificent medieval Cloisters, as well as its incredible musical offering, are among the jewels in its crown.
The Cathedral holds many special memories for me. Whilst studying at the King's School in Gloucester, I attended daily chapel there, as well as completing my O levels, A Levels and the Oxford University entrance exam in the Chapter House. The Cathedral's vision for the future is an ambitious one. It involves several major projects including: the refurbishment of its historic organ, securing the future of the Cloister and training future generations of stonemasons. Can you help secure the future of this magnificent building with a donation?
2. Young Lives vs Cancer
In 1980's my father Bruce Mitchell was President of the charity CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Children) which later became Young Lives vs Cancer. As Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough in 1982/83 he raised money for CLIC and the British Heart Foundation. With the help of RAF Innsworth he raised a very considerable amount of money shared by the two charities. He also founded and competed in the Tewkesbury Half Marathon with about 1000 competitors which still today, forty years later, raises money for charities.
My father continued to support this charity throughout his life until his death in November 2017.
I am proud to now continue to raise money for Young Lives vs Cancer, following in my father’s footsteps.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer life becomes full of fear, for them and their families. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, by overwhelming money worries, of having nowhere to turn, no one to talk to. Young Lives vs Cancer, helps families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.
Every day twelve more children and young people hear the devastating news they have cancer. Young Lives vs Cancer helps them to face it all together, united with their families, supporting them in every aspect of their lives – but we can’t do it without your help.
Donations of any size are welcome.
3. The King's School Gloucester Bursaries
As a former pupil, parent and now Governor of the School I am very passionate about the future of the King’s School.
Records show that in 1072 Benedictine monks already educated boys at the Abbey in Gloucester. This remarkable tradition of education has continued for nearly 1000 years.
I am raising money to support bursaries for very talented local pupils who would otherwise not have access to a King’s education. Donations of any size are welcome.
4. The Standish Consort Bursary Fund
Standish Consort was founded in December 2022 by OUS Gloucestershire members to encourage those in the area with a passion for singing to advance their musical knowledge and singing virtuosity in a chamber choir environment, lead by our young, enthusiastic conductor Mark Wilson . The choir has grown in strength with alumni from Oxford University, Cambridge University, and friends.
Since the choir’s formation we have had sell-out concerts, with recent performances including Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Barber’s Agnus Dei, Vivaldi’s Gloria and Monteverdi’s Vespers. Most recently we performed Zelenka’s Missa Votiva, with Ensemble la Notte, the YouTube video of which garnered over 15,000 views in its first month. We have also sung evensongs at Pembroke College, Merton College, Worcester Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral.
Our conductor Mark Wilson, Director of Music at Pembroke College Oxford, leads the choir with soloists drawn from members of the choir. We are often accompanied by George Charman, Organ Scholar at Pembroke College Oxford.
I am raising money for a Bursary to encourage young musicians from Oxford, and Cambridge.
Donations of any size are welcome.
A Beautiful Morning
Many pilgrims leave their overnight accommodation, mostly without any breakfast, as early as 5.30am when it is just becoming light. This is so as to reach their destinations while there are still beds/bunks available in the very many hostels and hotels along the route. Since I left Pamplona the number of walkers increases as we pass through each town and village and the overnight price also gradually increases. This photo was taken after I had been walking for long enough to warm up and for it to be fully light. The castle on the hill deserved a diversion but I resisted the temptation as the need to secure a comfortable bed was too great.
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Waymark
Following the Camino route is easy as it is clearly marked in various ways but this way mark is among the more picturesque. The route is also well used and one is rarely alone for long either by catching up with someone or being overtaken. We walk as fast as we are able as places in hostels are booked up very quickly.
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Astorga to Foncebadon
My Camino journey continues at a pace even though I am suffering from a nasty cold. Today I was able to wear my boots again now the blisters have healed which is fortunate as this area is rather bleak and this road hard underfoot. The weather has started to turn cold and at Astorga it was possible to see snow on the next mountain range where I am headed. With strong winds and temperatures just above freezing I have invested in some warmer clothing for which I am very grateful. Tonight I am staying at Foncebadon at 1430m in cold windy weather with snow/sleet on the way. The last few days travel: Lien toVillar de Mazarife 20.95 Km Villar de Mazarife to Astorga 29.65 Km Astorga to Foncebadon 25.19 Km
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Bunks
The accommodation varies tremendously from the mats on the floor at the monastery where our clothing and belongings were soaked when the nearby stream flooded through the building and those spartan blue mats on a shelf, to comfortable bunks like these. A Convent even provided a washing machine and tumble dryer as well as edible food in sufficient quantities. Sleeping is not really a problem as all the pilgrims have been exercising outdoors in all weathers to the limit of their endurance. Snoring there may be but everyone is too tired to notice.
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Sculpture
This bull was seen standing on top of a hill close to Navarette on 3rd, May early into the walk, It was unmoving, but made a dramatic sight.
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Weeks one and two
A day of rest and recuperation
Arrived at Leon yesterday after several hours and 23 miles of walking in high temperatures. Today I caught up on laundry which meant that it was fairly bracing this morning at less than 10C in shorts and a tee shirt this morning. León Cathedral is a masterpiece of early gothic architecture with more stained glass and light than I've ever seen in a European ecclesiastical building. Spectacular and definitely worth a visit. Tomorrow I walk to Hospital de Orbigo and Puente de Obigo.
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Progress check
Progress Check: Since my last post I have had problems with blisters which has meant I have been forced to walk in my sandals; rather like a Roman in my imagination; perhaps like Russell Crowe in Gladiator but without the backpack! Yesterday on top of a high plateau I was hit by a great thunder storm. With no trees or anything higher than my knee I took shelter in a dry drainage ditch whilst being pelted with hail stones the size almost of golf balls. Whilst under some stress I was able to put my Camino poncho to good use and rigged a make shift shelter. Today was a better day than expected, as to my relief, I managed to find an open chemist on a Sunday. I was then able to stock up on medical supplies giving my feet much pain relief. In the last few days I have completed the following Camino stages: 1. Boadilla des Camino to Carrión de los Condes 24.26 km 2. Carrion de los Condes to Terradillias de los Templarios 26.13 km 3. Terradillias de los Templarios to El Burga Ranero 30.44 km Tomorrow I walk to Leon, 39 kms and look forward to a whole days rest before I start the next stage. Overnight El Burgo Ranero
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Storks
Face cream
Rushing in the dark this morning I covered my face in Scholl cracked heel cream and my feet with factor 50. It's done wonders for my face as the advert says, it's an effective cream for the relief of cracked dry skin and a quick fix! I will be using it daily henceforth. On the Camino yesterday I walked a total of 18 miles between Hotanas and Boadilla del Camino.
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pen skies
I walked from Burgos to Hontanas, a total of 29 km / 18 miles.
The Camino is long, painful, hard, cold and hot but at the end of every day is rewarding in so many ways.
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Hospitality
Burgos
Burgos was such a fabulous city I spent an extra night there.
The 'In Tune' campaign for Gloucester Cathedral for the rebuilding of the organ is one of the causes I support.
I went to see the very special Burgos Cathedral organ yesterday. It has surround sound if you sit in the right place. See below. Unfortunately I did not hear it being played.
Another cause I am supporting is Young Lives Vs Cancer a charity my father supported as charity president in the 1980s. Yesterday I visited the Burgos Pilgrims hospital which was founded by Altonso viii and Eleanor of England in about 1200. Unfortunately it is no longer a hospital and is today the seat of the Rectorship of the University of Burgos and Faculty of law. See below.
Burgos is a great city which I would recommend visiting and it was with some reluctance at m5.30 am this morning I put on my walking boots to start the next phase of the Camino.
1. Gloucester Cathedral 'In Tune'
Details and how to donate here: https://www.givewheel.com/.../carmino-frances-route-st.../
2. Young Lives vs Cancer
Details and how to donate here:
https://www.givewheel.com/.../2-carmino-frances-route-st.../
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San Juan de Ortego to Burgos 25.97km
Yesterday woke up in the Monastery at San Juan de Ortega to find the floor wet along with all my kit from an overnight thunderstorm. Left at 5.30am and trekked through several kms of pine forest in the dark. Saw wild boar and several wild horses! Leaving the forest then found myself moving into dense fog on mountainous terrain. Arrived at the beautiful city of Burgos where I intend to stay for an extra day and dry my equipment and do some essential foot maintenance.
Communal dining
Last night I met two elderly Germans who told us they were doing 69km a day to my amazement. This morning it transpired as they passed me they were doing the Camino on electric bikes! My 20 - 30km a day average now feels more reasonable than it did last night!
Companions of the day trying out the local Rioja in Navarette.
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The Camino provides
It is said the Camino provides the pilgrim and walker with everything they need. Tuesday we passed a tap that provides free wine 24 hours a day!
Tuesday Maneru to Villamayor de Monjardin 27km.
Wednesday Villamayor de Monjardin to Viana 30km.
1 likesFundraisers
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Directly donated to series
£575.00
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1. Andrew's Camino Walk - The French Way 780 Km
Raised £214 of £50,000raised by 5 supporters
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2. Andrew's 780Km Camino walk for Young Lives Vs Cancer
Raised £180 of £50,000raised by 6 supporters
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3. Andrew's Camino Walk -780 Km for the KSG Bursaries
Raised £200 of £50,000raised by 7 supporters
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4. Andrew's Camino Walk - The French Way 780 Km
Raised £70 of £10,000raised by 4 supporters
Supporters 12
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T1 week, 6 days
Tosh
What a great effort and what an adventure! I wish you all the best of luck!
T
£ 100.00
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L
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J3 weeks, 2 days
Jon Rudoni
Good luck, mate! That's a big challenge, and no Segway to take the strain!
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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3 weeks, 5 days
Anonymous
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3 weeks, 5 days
Anonymous
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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