Arn said:
Since we aren't camping out...
You may not be, Arn! I think I'll have to for some of the Via Turonensis stages! Then I'll post the tent from St Jean Pied-de-Port back to its owner, who has offered to lend it to me, who lives in France. I've enjoyed the planning of this trip, even though it has been the most complicated I have ever done, on account of the charity element. Having decided to do the walk from England (1300 miles to Santiago), it seemed only right that people should benefit from the effort, apart from me and God having a good time together! But, boy, is it hard work getting the whole thing worked out for charity. All the endless letters, phone calls, emails, meetings! It's a harder slog than the walk.
This is primarily a personal pilgrimage: I decided to do it anyway. But while I'm doing it, it's raising money to benefit a disabled children's charity, Whizz-Kidz who provide mobility equipment. This week we have been particularly busy, with discussions to finalize the approach, and I would like to share with you where we are at present because I am really pleased that things are taking shape.
It has been decided that I will depart from Westminster Cathedral in London at 11.15 on Monday 12th May, receiving a pilgrim blessing from a Catholic priest on the cathedral steps, together with a group from Whizz-Kidz disabled children's charity and some children in wheelchairs. I am walking 2000 km for children who cannot walk and they will see me off. The press have been invited, as that maximises the charity giving.
A journalist from the London Times newspaper helped advise me on the press release, going out tomorrow. Plus he gave me his own media contact phone numbers and emails. The cathedral people have been really wonderful in their help and support. Now there's one last bit to get into place, and that's what we're waiting for: a significant person to put the first
sello in my
credencial on the steps of the cathedral. We're still working on that and I'll let you know if we succeed.
The pilgrim blog which I have already begun is here:
http://www.whizz-kidz-pilgrim.blogspot.com It gives a bit more information about my dates (in the right hand column). Is it possible for anyone you have contact with to put a link to my blog? Could you think about possibilities?
So there we are. See you in Rabanal, fellow CSJ people, on 13th July. (My planning is that precise... but the timetable will all go pear-shaped before Rouen, I expect.) Arrival 25th July in Santiago, I hope! I am doing my pilgrimage as a traditional Catholic peregrinaje on the Camino. Very much so: I am a candidate for the Catholic priesthood and it is not just a charity walk. But the important thing is, while I am doing it I am also in a position to benefit children who cannot walk.
I understand from some criticism that has arrived in the last few days - from a significant source in Paris (once again, I'll keep it diplomatic and not say who publicly) - that the 'purist' pelerins completely reject the idea of the journey as a charity venture. You can do mountain-biking, or follow the 'ley lines', have a vegetarian zen capuccino experience, or anything you like, and that's fine, except benefit your neighbour who needs your support! So be it. Let them be 'pure' and not engage with the world. I seem to remember a story about that attitude in the Gospel...! :wink:
Enjoy your Camino, early birds. Just a few more weeks to go for me... And I'll be glad to put all the planning behind and all the charity funding targets, and just get walking and hear the wind in the grass!
Gareth
