Thank you for visiting my Just Giving page.

I am honoured to have been one of Bryan Parsons' friends and this gorgeous man was taken from us far too early on Wednesday 3rd January 2018.  Bryan fought his illness bravely but after diagnosis in the Autumn of 2017 the outlook wasn't good at all.  He was always so witty, gentle, knowledgeable, helpful and fully of wicked stories!

As my business Essential PA celebrates 10 years of trading in March 2018, I had already planned to take an extended leave and to walk the entire Camino de Santiago.  

The French Way from St Jean Pied de Port is at least 480 miles but 770 klms sounds far more impressive!  

Although I'm walking alone I'll be with lots and lots of other pilgrims, with Bryan in spirit and with like-minded folk so I anticipate making many new connections with some delightful folk.  Here's hoping!

I'm funding this trip myself but I really would like to walk the route and complete this personal challenge in the knowledge that perhaps someone out there is going to be kind enough to drop some £1's into the fundraising pot as all monies gratefully received will go to Rowcroft Hospice in Torquay where Bryan bravely spent the last few weeks of his life.

As I write my story I know that my outbound (and now return) ferries  Plymouth -> Santander -> Plymouth are now booked.  The ferry will give me a decent flea-free bunk for the outward journey and I don't think I'll mind where I sleep on the return journey!

I'll find my way from Santander via Bilbao to Bayonne in France before heading up to SJPDP for my first night in a hostel at the gateway to the Camino.  I will update these pages with anecdotes and images as I prepare for my trip and also as I travel in the Spring.