I am walking the Camino de Santiago as a pilgrim for a few reasons. One being to look within, as Marcus Aurelius said "Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.”

Another is that my grandfather, Christopher Airy, cycled the Camino de Santiago from his home - Whitefield, Somerset - when he retired. He and my grandmother both died in the last year so I am doing it in their honour (with the same scallop shell that my grandfather took). Also, to resonate with him and the many people who have travelled the route over the centuries.

The included photo is of my grandfather at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela after completing his journey.

I will walk from the Church of St James the Great, Fitzhead, Somerset to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago, Spain. A total of a bit more than 1,200 miles. I will be mostly camping along the way but staying in hostels/hotels every so often. I have three months in Europe to complete my journey for visa reasons.

I have had many people ask if I am raising money for charity so it seems like a missed opportunity if I don’t. I have chosen two charities that are close to my heart, hopefully I will raise £3000 for each with your help. Those charities are Somerset Wildlife Trust and St Margaret's Somerset Hospice.

Thank you and warm regards,

Hector